The scriptures are hard because of the and. Be gracious and forgiving and kind and loving. And righteous. The polarization within Christendom is often due to the and where readers have blindly sought the or.

I died to the Law because I was identified with Christ. Grace is my motivator (grace is not merely the forgiveness of sins, it is blessing beyond that), but the life of Christ is to be lived out in me. But that life is done through rest and relationship, not through rigidity or legalism.

The standard for love and righteousness come from the same God. This means that instead of my getting to “or”, I get to “and.” This is a powerful truth that demands I step aside with my attitude and self importance and I get to be a model of submissive grace, serving righteousness, and compassionate listening.