If someone's been found guilty of murder and given a life sentence, but dies while serving that sentence, will the justice system continue to enforce that judgment?  No; the convicted person is no longer subject to that penalty. They're dead—they've been released from the sentence they were required to serve. 

One of my favorite verses is Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Jesus died on the cross. And because I have faith in Him, I died with Him. Because I've died, the law has no power.

If I am crucified with Christ, I'm dead to the law that condemned me. I'm free in Christ. I don't have to serve my sentence. Paul continued in verse 21: "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

So many people will say their friends or family members didn't want anything to do with God. But then I hear this at the funeral: "He was so sincere, and such a good person. God must have forgiven him."

If you're saved by your sincerity or your religiosity, Jesus' death on the cross was pointless. All God needed to do is send Him down to teach people to love each other, pat babies on the head, and heal a few people.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). There is no other way except the cross. And we want to make much of it, because if righteousness comes through works, Christ suffered and died in vain. That's why we boast in it.

I know many churches today don't mention the blood and don't mention the cross. But Paul said, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). We want to make much of that because we "do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain" (2:21).

He conquered death by His resurrection. The work He did on the cross is done.

Are you still trying your best to make sure you deserve it? It's time to give it up. If you're honest with yourself, you know you could never be good enough—even on your best day.

Here's the point: You don't have to be good enough. So stop striving and start abiding. Start living in the freedom He paid for with His life. He's already served your sentence. That is the gospel of grace.

A false religion, a cult, will say you have to give your life for your god. The gospel says your God gave His life for you.

As simply as that, we have been made right. We have been justified. May we make much of the cross!