One part of the brain of the ministers of today is saying there is a need for repentance and righteous behavior. The other part of the brain is testifying that "Jesus did it all" and if we believe we will go to Paradise on the basis of "unconditional grace."

Obviously these two concepts are out of harmony enough to prevent, we have said, the fierce determination necessary to overcome the vast array of demonic forces pressuring every human being, young and old, Christian and non-Christian, to be occupied with immoral practices, money, violence, drugs, drunkenness, and witchcraft.

If we are to overcome the passions of our flesh and soul we must have more of a motivation than "I know God overlooks my behavior because of Christ but I ought to try to do good out of appreciation for God's kindness to me."

Such motivation has about as much chance to overcome the passions of demon-driven flesh as a fly would have to lift a ton of iron or stop a speeding locomotive.

We must know that our conduct now will govern the kind of resurrection we will have in the Day of the Lord. Only then will we apply the determination to call on the Lord until we through the Holy Spirit drive out of our personality the passions of sin.

Unless our behavior becomes more righteous than that of the scribes and Pharisees we have no chance of entering the Kingdom of God. He who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than the greatest of the Prophets of Israel, including John the Baptist. The demands placed on each member of the Body of Christ are infinitely greater than the demands that were placed on the Prophets. God never required of King David that he turn the other cheek when he was struck or that he leap for joy when he was persecuted.

The grace available to each member of the Body of Christ is inconceivably greater than the grace available to any of the Prophets. King David had not been born again (no individual ever was born again until Christ rose from the dead) and did not have the body and blood of Christ to impart Divine Virtue to his personality.

Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of those who served God according to the Law of Moses (and there were many, such as Ezra the priest, and the father and mother of John the Baptist) or we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

Enormous demands! Enormous grace!

Let us come into the Holy of Holies that we may receive each day the Divine grace necessary to overcome the evil of that day.

Let us turn away from our sins and begin to serve the Lord, understanding that the primary evidence of salvation is our daily transformation into righteous behavior.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

(from Except Your Righteousness Shall Exceed . . .)