There is absolutely nothing we can do to "be saved" - Jesus Christ has already done everything necessary. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  In His death and resurrection, everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior has been brought back into a right relationship with God. That means that, on account of Jesus, everyone who believes is "justified," or declared innocent by God. God has done justice to the world's sins; because of Jesus, all who believe are forgiven and will live eternally.

We do not cooperate in our salvation and there is nothing we could ever do to earn eternal life.  There is nothing we can do to save ourselves—Jesus Christ has done it all. (John 14:6)

It is through faith in Jesus that we receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life - by believing that He has freed us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin. Faith is a gift worked in us by the power of the Holy Spirit; it doesn't come to us through anything we are capable of, but through what God does for us. We simply receive what is already being offered out of God's great love.  (Titus 3:5; Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 2:9; John 3:5-6)

Lutherans often refer to grace. The word itself might remind you of the grace period you are given when paying bills - when your debt can be paid without further penalty. God's grace is even more wonderful; that's why it's called "amazing grace." While we deserved to pay the penalty for our sins, God had a different plan. Christ paid the debt and we receive forgiveness and eternal life from Him that is offered out of unconditional love. That's why it's called grace because it is truly undeserved. (Romans 3:22-26)

Ephesians 2:8-9 says it perfectly: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." 

God has provided tangible ways through which He delivers His grace to those who believe, assuring us that the sins we commit are forgiven for Jesus' sake. These are called the "means of grace" and include God's Word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion). The Means of Grace are ways God brings us forgiveness through faith, which is ours through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through these means, God makes Himself known to us in a very personal way: God's Word reveals His faithfulness and love; Baptism is our rebirth and renewal in Jesus; the Lord's Supper is our closest communion with Christ as we receive His body and blood in, with, and under the elements (bread and wine) of the Sacrament. 

Since there is nothing we can ever do to earn salvation, we do not do good works in order to be saved; good works are done out of praise and thanks because we are saved. Such good works include, but are certainly not limited to, serving and caring for the needs of others, honoring and giving respect to those in authority, honoring our vows and commitments, and generally doing what is stated in Scripture  to be good and right. Martin Luther expressed it this way: “God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does.”  Jesus Himself said that the two greatest commandments are “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind” and “to love your neighbors as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

The doctrinal basis of the school(s) operated by the Association shall be the written  word of God, the Bible and the confessional standards of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Book of Concord of 1580. The Association respects and will not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) as set forth in the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the applicable policies of the Synod.