:: Law and Gospel is a major theme in Luther's theology (see "Martin Luther" in Encarta) and directly related to Justification. Luther believed original sin, the inborn curse that makes everyone a sinner from conception, separated us all from God forever. In Luther's view, the law is designed to show us our sin and lost state, condemn us to hell for our disobedience and drive us to Christ for salvation. The Gospel comforts sinners with the good news that Christ died on the cross in our place so that our guilt is atoned for, our sins forgiven and a new life planted within us. From Luther's perspective, it is important to jusfication because it details the way that God gives us His grace.

 Having said this, I'm not committed to the current placement of this paragraph, nor its current wording. I do believe it belongs in our article in some fashion, however. Wyneken(talk)