You cannot live on two mountains at the same time.

Hebrews 12 paints a terrifying picture of Mount Sinai, where the Law was given. It was a place of blackness, darkness, and tempest. It burned with fire. The atmosphere was so heavy with judgment that if even an animal touched the mountain, it was killed.

When you try to mix Law and Grace, you unknowingly step back onto Sinai. And immediately, the fiery darts start flying. You feel the darkness. You feel the trembling of condemnation.

But that is not where you live anymore.

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels...” Hebrews 12:22

Mount Zion is the mountain of Grace. There is no darkness here—only myriads of angels. There is no distance here—God is present as the Judge who declares you righteous. There is no fear here—only Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant.

Stop trying to amalgamate the two. You have left the mountain of gloom. You have arrived at the celebration.

Your address has changed; don't go back to the old neighborhood.