In the dark, cold, plague-ridden landscape of medieval and late medieval Europe, most people lived in fear of a terrifying, vengeful God, who was always eager to consign sinners to hell. Christ himself seemed cold and heartless, and only the saints and the Virgin Mary offered any warm touch to the doctrines of the church and the experience of the “faith.” Luther himself suffered under this distortion of the Christian worldview. Then one day by God’s grace, a terrified Luther was given an experience of the grace of God. Though he does not mention it in his explanation of the Fifth Petition, all of his words reflect his wonder over the God of grace that changed his life and his view of the whole world. He finally understood Christ and Christ became his friend.

May this God of grace get through to you, too, whenever you are beat down by life, feeling guilty, ashamed to be you, or driven by remorse over some sin or stupid things you’ve done or said. Confess it, and allow your mind to be changed about God, and you will (again) enter into new life. And then forgiven others as you have been forgiven. Live by grace and grace alone. Allow Christ to be your friend.