In Jesus we see the breaking forth of grace and truth. At the cross we see the fullness of these things. There, instead of cursing those who deserved to be cursed, He became the curse for them that they might be blessed with the promise of the Spirit.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14

What does this say about our relationship with God under the new covenant? The old covenant framework said that we need to be a person worthy of God’s blessing. The new covenant framework says we are people who deserve a curse, but we have a blessing in Christ instead. We are people who deserve to be far from God, but because of Christ, we are near instead. We are a people who deserve to have nothing, but instead God has given us everything. We are a people not under the Law but grace.

Do you see the difference in relationship with God? God wants a grace based relationship with us under the new covenant, not a performance based relationship. When we can see ourselves as a person who gets far more than he could ever deserve everyday, we have begun to understand grace. Grace is for everyday not just for heaven someday. Grace is the basis of our walk with God under the new covenant.

It is hard to grasp, but trying to be somebody God can accept is actually counterproductive in our relationship with God. Accepted is something we are, not something to we become. Living in that acceptance is how we relate to God.