Faith Alone

Justification before God has always come through faith, alone. The righteousness of God is revealed in a saving way to us in the gospel, because we can only be counted righteous through Jesus' life, not our own. By works of the law, the righteousness of God can only condemn us. This is why we must have a righteousness external to ourself, received through the instrument of faith, alone.

Martin Luther had read the Scriptures enough to realize the purchase of indulgences, the veneration of relics, prayers to the saints, and even observances of the sacraments and good works of his own were not enough to make him right before God, which caused him to post his famous "95 Theses." But it wasn't until God illuminated his heart to the reality that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel by faith that he testified to being born again.