Claiming Victory Over Horribleness

I was on Facebook this past week, and this is what came across my newsfeed:

One of my friends apparently "liked" this photo posted by "Being Liberal", which looks like a blog devoted to mudslinging against right-wing Republicans. 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says liberal can mean broad-minded. I assume this writer wasn't feeling all warm and fuzzy and like being liberal that day about religious people.    

To be honest, I'm not a fan of talking about politics. I am not on team red or team blue. In my opinion, our nation's politics have become too much about hating another party, rather than finding the best solutions for the American people. And, mudslinging against another political party is always ridiculous and sophomoric at best. How can we be the United States of America, without unity?   

I don't usually like to get involved in foolish and idle talk about divisive issues, like politics. But, I will be bold for Jesus. 

I scrolled down at the comments on this post, and people were calling Christians corrupt and saying that religion makes you horrible. It's easy for me  to forget how persecuted we are, until I look outside my Christian social circles.

I liked what one guy said:

 If religion is the only thing keeping someone from being horrible, then thank God for 

religion!

Looking at all the comments, I started thinking about the Christians and non-Christians I know. Some Christians, myself included, have done some pretty horrible things. In fact, I know some wonderful non-Christians that seem more loving, kind, generous, and helpful than some Christians I know.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July and our nation's freedom this week, it always makes me think of the freedom we are given when we have a relationship with Christ. 

You see, the difference between Christians and non-Christians is really not who is more horrible, but instead, who has freedom from that horribleness. So, this is what I commented on the post that day:

The truth is we are ALL horrible people apart from God's grace. Thankfully, Jesus nails our horribleness to the cross when we place our trust in Him.

Then, we no longer have to be slaves to our sin. We don't have to carry around the weight of our bad choices, past or present. We don't have to be a prisoner to emotions like fear, guilt, shame, anger, and unworthiness. Jesus paid our ransom when he died on a cross and declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). 

Isn't that a wonderful gift? A free gift of freedom for everyone, that doesn't have to be fought for or earned. "For God so loved you, that he gave his one and only son, that if you believe in him, you shall have eternal life" (John 3:16).

For those of us who do believe, let's claim our victory. We have the same power living in us that rose Christ from the grave. Isn't that amazing? With the Holy Spirit we will never be alone and we will never be defeated.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am grateful for living in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave and for your sons and daughters that fought for that freedom. Though my earthly freedom may be threatened at times, I am grateful for the secure gift you gave me of freedom in Christ, when you sent Jesus to die on a cross to pay the ultimate price for my sins. In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.