"For all the law is fulfilled in a word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

"Let no man think ...that he thoroughly knows this commandment: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Indeed, it is very short and easy as far as the words; but show me the teachers and hearers, that in teaching, learning, and living, exercise and accomplish it rightly. If the faithful omit a minor religious obligation, they soon are troubled in their conscience, but if they neglect charity or bear not a sincere and brotherly love for their neighbor, they are not so troubled. For they do not regard the commandment of charity as seriously as they do their various religious acts.

Paul therefore reprehends the Galatians in these words: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word." As if he said: You are drowned in your superstitions and ceremonies concerning places and times, which profit neither yourselves, nor others: and in the meanwhile, you neglect charity which you ought to have kept. What madness is this? So says Jerome: We wear and consume our bodies with watching, fasting, labor, etc., but we neglect charity, which is the only lady and mistress of works. And this may be well seen in the monks, who strictly observe the traditions concerning their ceremonies. If they omit anything, be it ever so little, they sin deadly. But when they not only neglect charity, but also hate one another to the death, they think they sin not, nor offend God at all.

Therefore by this commandment Paul not only teaches good works, but also condemns superstitious works. He not only builds gold, silver, and precious stones upon the foundation, but also throws down the wood, and burns up the hay and stubble." -Martin Luther

Luther sure knew about "monks", for he was an amazing monk himself. He was unregenerate during his time in the monastery, and knew not the saving garce and love of Christ. Yet, he was a fanatic in keeping the religious teachings of Church. He lacked the saving belief in God's grace alone. And we all do this don't we? (Perhaps not as earnestly as Luther, but even in a lesser way it's dead works.)
We try to earn God's grace. And it's impossible to earn grace. Grace is God's favor to us. In fact, we need His grace in order to know we need His grace. We need the Cross of our Savior and Lord always before us, so that we are always in awe of Christs perfect work of love, when He gave Himself for us.

Bottom line? God's grace. What am I to do then? I'm to trust Christ alone. I'm to pray to Him, and our Father in faith.

Lord, You died for my soul. You took my sin upon Your broken body; and so I am Your's. Please have mercy on me this day, for I can do nothing without Your grace and Spirit. Fill me Lord with Your Spirit; so that He may spread Your love throughout my heart; first and foremost for You, my Savior; for my wife and children; and also for all my neighbors, not only in my neighborhood, but throughout the world. Amen