"Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 5:19-21) The pharisees "cleaned the outside of the cup" and were "whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones." What were they missing? They followed the law to the letter.
A certain young ruler, who had "kept the law since birth" and who "was very rich" asked Jesus how he could inherit the kingdom of heaven.(Luke 18:18-27) Jesus told him to get rid of his distractions, invest them in heaven's kingdom, and to follow HIM (Jesus). "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."(Matthew 16:24) "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."(Matthew 10:38)
Jesus, HIMSELF, is our salvation (Yesuha/salvation). He holds the keys to death and hell. He has sealed the new covenant with HIS precious blood (Hebrew 5:9).What has He commanded us to do? "Love one another, as I have loved you (John 13:34). This is the only time Jesus says "I command". The king has spoken.
Under the new covenant, it is not just about our behavior anymore, but is about what motivates us. This is a much higher, stricter standard. The ceremonial, incomplete trappings of the law have been satisfied by Him whom they were a witness of. The law has been superseded by the perfection of love's expression! (2Cor 13)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love!"( Gal 5:6)
So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12)
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