All this is the end result of branding the Holy Torah a “temporary preparation.”
That’s not Jesus’ purpose. The Old Testament says God would make a New Covenant. And why?
-The OT gave laws of right and wrong. To disregard them was to disobey God.
-But to keep them resulted in pride and self-righteousness.
-And no one can even truly keep them perfectly, especially in the heart.
-What’s needed is a new spiritual nature, and that comes by believing on Christ as Savior.
-Christ was able to take our punishment because He deserved no punishment Himself. And someone needed to take it. As much as God wants to forgive, He must also be just. He absolutely MUST punish ALL sin. But, one can believe on Him, and His sacrifice for us, and have our due punishment cancelled. That is the Gospel: God not counting our sins against us.
-This solution takes care of the problem of PRIDE, which deceives us into thinking we’re good and so can depend on ourselves and our own judgment..
-When we know we’re not good, and can’t tell it for ourselves, then we come to depend on the Lord. When we know (CONT’D)
“good deeds” can’t undo our sins, but only God bestowing mercy on us through the sacrifice of His Son can save us from eternal punishment, then we come to understand that all glory and credit goes to God. There is nothing we can glory in, except Him.