Religion and the Gospel

Amended from Tim Keller 

Religion says;

My self-view swings between two poles.  If and when I am living up to my standards, I feel confident, but then I am prone to be proud and unsympathetic to failing people.  If and when I am not living up to standards, I feel humble, but not confident - I feel like a failure.

The Gospel says;

My self-view is not based on a view of my self as a moral achiever.  In Christ I am simul iustus et peccator - simultaneously sinful and lost yet accepted in Christ.  I am so bad he had to die for me and I am so loved He was glad to die fro me.  This leads me to deeper and deeper humility and confidence at the same time.  Neither swaggering nor sniveling.