Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:15-17 and Romans 2:12-16
Series: Comments on Galatians
It is small wonder Luther was terrified in that legendary lighting storm. Yes, he feared for his life but this was the lesser matter. He feared for his eternal soul. The traditions of the church had instilled in him a dread of the wrath of God. That is a good thing. Yet it is a terrible thing for the believer to only know God’s wrath. Young Luther knew nothing yet of the love and mercy of a gracious God.
Perhaps it was because he likened the Father to his own demanding father. Whatever the reason, he knew he could not please his heavenly Father. And it terrified him. So, to die without extreme unction, alone, and in the hands of an angry God was the worst scenario in which Luther could to find himself.
Still, God used that storm and Luther’s stormy, befuddled conscience to lead the church into a season of grace. Eventually, he would hear the gospel in the Word, instead of law alone. And that gospel showed him the answer to the law: Christ Jesus—or rather, the Trinity. Instead of only an angry Father, that storm cleared the way for Luther to discover in Scripture that God is also a loving Savior and guiding Spirit, whose grace toward sinners is what satisfies the demands of the law.
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