The Bible tells us that humans have free will, a mind, and will of their own and, as such, are morally responsible for our behavior. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, one must wonder if the Lord gazes upon us with sadness. Sadness that so many of us have availed ourselves of the gift of free will not to follow the lessons that the Lord and his sons taught us, not to benefit humanity in general, but to indulge in selfish behavior. Even sadder is that so many use his name as the cornerstone of their actions.

In 2020 the well-being and health of Americans were sacrificed for personal and political gain. Racism and bigotry thrived and were used by our leaders to divide and conquer. The pursuit of happiness for many was impeded by existing economic and social injustice roadblocks and exacerbated by Covid. The use of masks turned into a political football by leaders and those who follow them—seeing their self-centered refusal to wear a mask as a badge of honor but a sign of disregard for the lives of their fellow man.

The result? Hundred of thousands of Americans waking up on Christmas morning to an empty chair with a heavy heart. The chair that was once occupied by a loved one regrettably lost their life to a virus that killed far more Americans than it should.

As American leaders celebrate this Christmas with their families and golf, isolated from the harsh realities of the real world, millions of Americans wait on growing food lines and face the possibility of homelessness. Simultaneously large corporations receive billions in bailouts, and millionaires continue to see their portfolio grow.

The Bible is clear we are given freedom. But we are not to use that freedom in the pursuit of our selfish desires.

Galatians 5:13: You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

It is not so far fetched to say that the evil man is growing in power and gaining followers each day as they are preying on the intrinsic human behavior for power, greed. Bringing out man’s true nature.

Luke 6:45: A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

It is up to those of us with true and pure faith to resist the evil around us by leaning on our faith in the Lord, and hopefully, we will one day defeat the evil from among us.