It would be such an incredible weight if we had to "gain" God's affections. I certainly would have absolutely given up a long time ago if I had to set my sites towards reaching the bar that would be set for us toward perfection in God. Can you imagine the stress and anxiety it would be to have to gain right standing before God? But what if one, other than Christ did reach perfection. I imagine that the way that we are as idolatrous humans, we would make monuments for this person. He would be our leader, because although we didn't make it he or she did and can tell us how that was. We would worship this creature, rather than the creator who is blessed forever(Romans 1:25). This person would in turn accept our worship, deifying himself and forgetting why he ever pushed so hard to reach his goals, which in our eyes was perfection. It would also be a constant struggle to stay at the top. One thing is certain for us as humans and that is that there is always someone bigger, better, and brighter.
In my opinion this has always been the beginning of newfound religions. Can you see it? Can you see how all others religions and/or beliefs differ from Christianity? They all represent a false hope that through a fallible leader, prophet, intellect or lifestyle that somehow you will reach a euphoric oneness with that said leader. It's a half-truth, because in reality there was one sent in our place, he was a ransom for many and he lived a perfect, sinless life. He was a revolutionary thinker, pioneer, he is wisdom, and he is knowledge, he created history and history and future is obedient to only him. Through this one man who was God and man, we can have forgiveness of sin and he cannot and will not forget who he is, because he is "the Great I Am." Can you believe this? God could only send God to be worshipped and glorified. All other religions at best are imposters, leading men toward destruction. For you see, knowing ourselves is the basis for perceiving who we are what we are about. Understanding our design to worship that which is beyond us God sent his Son to free us from sin. And we all are the same, "For all have sinned and fallen short," (Romans 3:23) and our verdict is guilty. However through Christ we have forgiveness and substitutionary atonement which is simply his righteous imputed to us. So, as I grow I have a proper grasp on who I am; not perfect, just forgiven.
Jteverything
