Can it be?

Jesus said, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." *

And just as humankind almost reeled into despair at those words, He uttered the greatest, loveliest catch to a death sentence in the span of time: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." **

Can't quite make that register in your brain and heart? Here's a secret--you don't have to do one better than the Pharisees. No, really. It's ok. Our Brother and Father said so. You're free.

"Oh but nothing's free," you hear over and over, "SOMEBODY had to pay, your freedom cost SOMEBODY a great deal, so you'd better toe the line, or the best you'll get is scant acknowledgment that He saved you from sin and an obligatory corner shanty in Heaven."

Yes. Our Brother, Father, and Comforter paid. The price was high. But They did it because they wanted to. Not out of obligation. What's dearly bought is dearly cherished.

So no more cringing in the dust, crawling along on your belly, and feeling like you need to pay Him back for paying your debt. 

Arise, and breathe the free air.


*Matthew 5:20
**Romans 8:1-4