Note:
The Gospel, that free gift of God, does require something of us: that we have faith to accept it and apply it to ourselves. This does not negate sola fide or sola gratia, nor does it open the door to works righteousness, because without God first and freely doing the Gospel for us we would have nothing to believe in, nothing to respond to, nothing to apply to ourselves, no incentive or ability to believe, respond, or apply.

Quote:
“Then indeed the Gospel displays to us the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, the Mediator, which He has provided for us, and on account of this merit of Christ it offers to us grace and remission of sins. It does require this of us, that we accept this benefit of Christ by faith and apply it to ourselves, and declares that those who believe in Christ receive forgiveness through His name. It exhorts those who have been reconciled, who have received forgiveness of sins, that they should thereafter bear fruits worthy of repentance. Thus according to Scripture, in order that we may obtain reconciliation there is required in the penitent person contrition, and faith, which lays hold of the merit of Christ; the fruits follow after reconciliation. This manner of repenting is clear and sure, for it is taught in Scripture and has the promise of the remission of sins.”

Source: Chemnitz, Martin. Examination of the Council of Trent. Part II. Fred Kramer, tr. St. Louis: Concordia, 1978, page 576.