my cup overflows

Psalm 111:9, "He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever.  Holy and awesome are His name!" (ESV)

No other god, no other religion can claim this.  He sent redemption to us.  It is not earned, it is a gift.  From the beginning, He knew our sinful nature.  He gave the law to show us we could not live up to the law.  We could not live up to the standard of holy/perfect.  We don't do life on repeat until we reach a higher level.  

God gave the Mosaic Covenant, the Ten Commandments, as a code to live by.  When His people were within the law, He showered His blessings on Him.  But, repeatedly the people could not live to the standard; so they offered sacrifices to restore relationship...and they tried again.  This repeated so many times and finally in His anger, He was silent and His people did not hear from Him for hundreds of years.  

They needed a Savior.  So, He sent a New Covenant.  He sent redemption to His people.  Jesus came and lived His perfect life to take the punishment of our sins upon Him as the perfect sacrificial lamb to restore relationship.  This covenant would last forever.  If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and take Him as your Savior, you are redeemed...perfect in the eyes of God because He sees Jesus when He sees you.

I picture an Edenic society where all people lived under the only two commandments we really need...that we love the Lord God will all our heart, soul, and mind; and that we love our neighbor as ourself.  When our eyes are focused on God, love overflows.  It is a perfect circle that just runs over and flows out.  When we love, breaking the laws/codes of our society become a non-issue because we are looking/putting others above ourself and we put God above all else.

It's a gift.  It cost you nothing.  It cost Him everything.  He did it out of love because Holy and AWESOME is His name.