Branded

We have all been branded with a “scarlet letter” because of how we look, think, do, and believe.

Because I’m a parent, I’m a terrorist.
Because I’m white, I’m racist.
Because I’m male, I’m sexist.
Because I’m old, I’m prejudiced.
Because I’m straight, I’m homophobic.
Because I believe in Right and Wrong, I’m intolerant.
Because I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, I’m old fashioned.
Because I believe in God, I’m delusional.
Because I call myself Republican, I’m dangerous.
Because I believe in America, I’m a Nationalist.
Because I believe in working for a living, I’m a Capitalist.
Because I believe in the right to own a gun, I’m a danger to society.
Because I believe in secured borders, I’m xenophobic.

I think that about covers it.

The Bible tells me I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” in my mothers’ womb. God knew me and who I was going to become, and if that didn’t happen, then it’s on me, not Him.

The fact – and the promise – remains: In spite of all of my failures, all of my faults, all of my brokenness, God did not and does not abandon nor forsake me. He demonstrated His love for me – and you – by sacrificing His Own Son to pay for and forgive all of those faults, all of that brokenness, all of the sin in my life, my past, present, and future included.

As far as the east is from the west, so has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4)

Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by ME.” (John 14:6)