Growing up Lutheran meant being commonly familiar with things like law and gospel and how to spot them in everything. I do not consider myself an expert by any means on being Lutheran or a good reader, but felt that from a young age I could tell when something was becoming too Law heavy or too gospel soaked. We're Lutherans, it's kinda our thing. While I am greatly thankful for this understanding, it can sometimes be burden. Law and gospel becomes a game rather than a glorious concoction of the heart of a follower of Jesus Christ. I quickly find myself being overly critical of the things I read, learned, or listened to and not focused on how it truly applies to my own life. I find myself dwelling on the sinfulness of the law and less in awe of the truth of the gospel.A friend of mine recommended reading this book by Senkbeil and I obliged. Instantly I found I could not put it down. This felt as though the first time someone, who knows far more than I do about the truths of life and theology, laid out so clearly the law and gospel in a way that applies so beautifully to my life. This is one of those books that I truly wish everyone would read. Even though it was written about twenty five years before I read it the gospel rang timelessly true. Senkbeil is able to address real human litanies of despair over sinfulness but face this law with full gospel lenses in a way that I had not considered before. I intend to use this book when speaking to others about the Gospel of Jesus and even hope to apply its teachings to my confirmation class that I teach.