A common misconception about religion is that it is seeking approval and acceptance from God through our behavior, but this approach is self-centered and self-righteous, leading only to a rejection of God and Christian community. Real acceptance from God only comes from accepting God's grace and Christ's sacrifice to atone for our sins.

Without a judgment day, we would live in a hopeless world. But if there is a judgment day, none of us could bear the weight of judgment. However, in Christ we have already been judged. In Christ we can live between two judgments: the judgment we’ve already passed through and the coming judgment of the world.