Fear No Fear

“Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, MEV). Jesus loves us enough to NOT lower the standard for a relationship with God. God is righteous. Sin cannot live in His presence. All humanity is fallen, born of broken DNA. We cannot make our own way to Him. We can call out to Him, but cannot reach Him on our own. The standard for standing in His presence is total and complete righteousness. Nothing else survives (Exodus 33:20). Instead of condemning us, Jesus came to die for us. To pay the price of Sin so that through trusting in Him WE could be counted as righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we believe in Jesus and choose to trust in Him, we gain in Him His righteousness (Romans 3:21-26). Instead of lowering the standard, Jesus became the Way by which we can become the standard. It happens the same way it happened for Abraham: through TRUSTING in God (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:2-5). Time and again Jesus told people who trusted in Him that it was their trust which had saved them (Luke 18:42). The basis for our relationship with God is our trust in Him. It has always been that way. Adam failed to trust and fell. We can choose to trust and be raised in Jesus (Colossians 3:1). This is not for the elite. This is not for the few. This is for ANYONE and EVERYONE who chooses to trust in Jesus. Period. Jesus is not a gatekeeper to keep people out. Jesus is a gatekeeper to help us in. Jesus came so that ALL humanity could have the opportunity to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Jesus loves us. Jesus kept the standard where it was. Jesus opened the Way for us to repent and return to a relationship with God because of that love. Not condemning us, but welcoming us home if we would trust in Him.