Luther: Do not deny God the pleasure of saving sinners, like you!

“The fatuous idea that a person can be holy by himself denies God the pleasure of saving sinners.  God must therefore first take the sledge-hammer of the Law in His fists and smash the beast of self-righteousness and its brood of self-confidence, self wisdom, self-righteousness, and self-help.  When the conscience has been thoroughly frightened by the Law it welcomes the Gospel of grace with its message of a Saviour Who came….not to break the bruised reed, nor to quench the smoking flax, but to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, and to grant forgiveness of sins to all the captives.” 
Martin Luther
HT: Graced Again