It is the kindness of the Lord that renews our minds, the forgiveness of God in the face of our self-condemnation that ultimately sets us free. God passed all judgement to the son who came not to judge the world but to save the world. We are saved by grace so that no one may boast. The only way to miss out on the eternal party is to hold steadfastly to the idea that you can somehow dictate your stance before God.
The Gospel is offensive; it offends every religious idea of self-ascension, good living, and winning in this life. Jesus came to save the broken, the losers, the sinners, in fact He died for us while we were still sinners. It is not those who are broken that get left behind but those who cling to the idea that they can fix themselves up. There is restoration but it comes in a way that we don't expect, in fact it has nothing to do with us at all. Life out of death, strength out of weakness, wisdom out of foolishness (1 Cor. 1).
Trying to grasp onto life, to make something of yourself, to become happy, fulfilled, or successful, has only ever led to anxiety, condemnation, and depression. Trying to sort your life out will never provide what it promises to. Cling to life and you will miss out on it, revel in the glorious paradox of deserving nothing and receiving everything, and life will become a miraculous adventure.
Death is the only thing that will produce life. Losing your life for Jesus paradoxically results in you finding it. Giving up on the pursuit of fulfillment in the world is only possible when you find your true fulfillment in Jesus. I have been crucified to the world and the world to me, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me, I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
