This is such a striking concept for exMormons to learn. There really is no Biblical option anywhere to keep half the law and have the rest covered by grace.
Living by some commandments and feeling “righteous” or “worthy” for doing so really disconnects a person from Christ because it lessens their understanding of how they’re in need of grace.
Paul taught “I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” (Galatians 5:3)
Basically, if you’re trying to follow Law, then you’re trying to be a Jew. And Christianity isn’t congruent with that system. It’s one or the other.
But the LDS church really tries to be both. From Jewish priesthood to Jewish temple washings, but from the other side of their mouth claiming to have a savior, the entire approach is a mess.
Let’s see what Ezekiel said about this (keep in mind, a “righteous” person means someone who is living by the laws relying on their own merits):
“…If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing…The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.
If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.” (Ezekiel 33:12-13)
If you try to earn your own way by proving your worthiness, you now need to live fully, perfectly righteous. The moment you do any evil, all of your righteousness is cancelled out.
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10)
God only accepts perfect righteousness!
And there is only one person who has ever walked this earth who had the perfect righteousness, the merits to qualify for salvation.
You do not qualify.
Whatever you do, you will fail.
You cannot earn your salvation, or part of it, or any of it.
You will never be worthy!
But luckily Jesus is offering to credit His worthiness to your account.
He took your sin. By proxy He became the worst sinner on earth. And He was punished severely for that.
He offers you this amazing trade!
Since he already took your sin, if you accept this, He will then credit His righteousness to you.
It’s called the Great Exchange. Something I never heard about, not even once, in the LDS church!
But boy, what an amazing deal!! God is so great. Thank you, Jesus!
All I Possess 