The Privileged Life: Am I Really That Bad?

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)*

Over the weekend, while exiting the doors at Walmart, I noticed a police officer carrying a large handbag and escorting a young woman through a door marked “Security.” As I looked closer, I saw that the young woman’s wrists were handcuffed behind her.

The offender looked barely out of high school, maybe in her early 20s. I’ve seen media posts lately about Walmart’s high rate of theft, referred to as “inventory shrinkage.” So, it’s probable she was apprehended for shoplifting.

My heart went out to this girl. What prompted her to steal? Was it desperation for food or something she couldn’t afford? Did she do it for thrills or bragging rights? Or had she reached the point where she just didn’t care anymore?

When we see someone in these dire straits, we’re tempted to play the comparison game. We tell ourselves we’re not as bad as that person. We haven’t stolen a car or held someone at gunpoint or sold drugs.

We’re not that bad. Or are we?

The answer to that question is, of course, no. We’re much worse.

*This 70-year-old Monopoly set has seen a lot of property transactions in our family over the decades*...and a lot of jail time for those of us playing it.

We think that if we go to church most Sundays and give money occasionally to charities, we’re the “good guys” among the “bad guys.”

But I’ve got news for you, from Romans 3:23—“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….” Yep, that includes you and me. We’re all dirty, sin-filled, selfish creatures. Through and through.

If you think you’re about 90 percent good and maybe bad only 10 percent of the time, think again. Imagine an omelet made with nine good eggs and one that’s rotten. Would you eat it and serve it to your guests? I think not. In the same way, every double helix of DNA in every cell of our bodies is contaminated by sin. everyone.

Jesus knew people inside and out. He pierced through the self-justification of the Pharisees, the legalist religious rulers of His time. These pompous fellows walked around proudly, disdaining others who were not as pious and perfect as they were in obeying their myriad, minuscule laws. Our Lord called them “whitewashed tombs,” excoriating them for keeping up appearances while neglecting His Spirit of love and truth.

One of Jesus’ most incriminating parables about these self-righteous leaders is found in Luke 18:10-14: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Uh-oh. That’s similar to the situation at Walmart. My first thoughts were ever-so-slightly condescending. I did pray for that girl in the handcuffs as I went to the parking lot. I felt sorry for her and prayed God would reveal Himself to her and call her to repentance. I prayed she would turn her life over to serving Him. I asked for His heart-changing power in her life. Nothing wrong with any of that.**

But then, I put myself in the handcuffs. I’m guilty, too. Maybe not for shoplifting at Walmart, but guilty nonetheless of a whole boatload of sins. I just haven’t been “caught.” If you took a video inside my mind, any judge viewing it would lock me in a rancid-smelling jail cell and throw away the key.

And yet, I breathe a sigh of relief in these moments. Because right after Romans 3:23 comes verse 24: “…being justifiedfreely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….” That word justified? It means standing before our judging God and being totally absolved from eternal punishment for my evil deeds, because Jesus has paid the price for them. It means being truly liberated from my sin…not from some of them but from all of them. I can’t pay my way out of jail with good works, but Jesus can unlock the cell doors.

Friend, you might think you’re mostly sinless. Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might think you’re so messed up Jesus would never forgive you.

*Good news for you! Jesus doesn’t leave our salvation up to “chance”! He has freed us from eternal punishment!*

That’s where Jesus steps in with His good news. His death on the cross paid the entire penalty for all who trust in Him for salvation. We simply need to have faith and confess Him as our Lord and Savior. He transforms our hearts and launches an ongoing sanctification until we leave this earth…leading us away from our “bad” to His “good.”

Let’s walk together in step with Him every day, depending on His gift of life and His Holy Spirit to guide us faithfully. Covered by the perfection of His blood and righteousness, we are no longer “handcuffed” but free to join Him in heaven!

Jesus, I am a wretched sinner because I have failed to measure up to Your standards. You alone are perfect, and I trust in Your work on the cross alone to cover my sins. How I rejoice in knowing that, no matter how many times I fall short, nothing will come between Your love and me. I thank You that there is no condemnation for me because You are my Redeemer. With praise and thanksgiving for Your free gift of eternal life and in the power of Your transforming name, Amen.

*Some translations, like the English Standard Version, add the word “free” to the word “gift” in Romans 6:23. We don’t have to earn this priceless gift of eternal life—Jesus has paid everything.

**Please pray for that young woman who was taken into custody this week at Walmart…that someone will speak God’s truth to her in love.

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To learn more about the grace of Jesus Christ, go to this page: https://lightbournecreative.com/good-news-for-you/