Read Romans 3:9-26

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12 NLT).

The life of Henry McCarty, better known as Billy the Kid, is a tragic tale of how the harsh realities of this world can lead even the most innocent souls astray. Born into poverty and orphaned at a young age, Henry’s circumstances thrust him into a life of crime and violence in the unforgiving American West.

As a huge fan of Jon Bon Jovi, both his solo work and his iconic band Bon Jovi, I find his song “Santa Fe” from the “Blaze of Glory” album particularly poignant. This album, inspired by the film “Young Guns II,” which chronicles Billy the Kid’s exploits, captures the essence of Henry’s life. The lyrics, “And I blame this world for making a good man evil / It’s this world that can drive a good man mad / And it’s this world that turns a killer into a hero / Well, I blame this world for making a good man bad,” resonate deeply with the idea that we are all born innocent into a world marred by sin.

None of us are immune to the corrupting influences of sin, for as Romans 3:23 declares, “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” Henry McCarty’s life is a testament to this truth. Despite his notorious reputation, glimpses of his virtues—loyalty, courage, and a yearning for justice—shine through. His story serves as a sobering reminder that we are all products of our environments, shaped by the circumstances and temptations that surround us.

The Bible offers hope in the form of grace and redemption through Jesus Christ. As Bon Jovi sings, “So I save a prayer, for when I need it most, to the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, and sign it from a sinner with no name.” Just as Christ offered forgiveness to the repentant thief on the cross, so too can we find salvation, no matter how far we may have strayed.

Henry McCarty’s life was marked by a series of misadventures and tragic events that led him down a path of crime. Orphaned at a young age, he was left to fend for himself in a world that was often brutal and unforgiving. His involvement in the Lincoln County War—a violent conflict between rival factions vying for economic and political control in New Mexico—was driven by a desire for justice and survival in a lawless land. The war pitted Henry and the Regulators, a group seeking to avenge the murder of their employer, John Tunstall, against the corrupt establishment known as the Santa Fe Ring or the Murphy-Dolan faction.

This corrupt establishment centered around the monopolistic business enterprise called “The House,” controlled by Lawrence G. Murphy and James Dolan. They were backed by corrupt local law officials like Sheriff William Brady and his deputies, as well as corrupt territorial officials like Governor Samuel B. Axtell and members of the Santa Fe Ring’s political machine, including lawyers and politicians like Thomas Catron and Stephen Elkins. Their greed, abuse of power, and willingness to use violence put them into conflict with competing business interests like Tunstall and Alexander McSween, ultimately sparking the Lincoln County War.

Henry’s actions during the war were complex. While he did engage in violent acts, they were often in response to the injustices he witnessed and experienced at the hands of the corrupt establishment. His story is often reduced to that of an outlaw and a killer, without considering the circumstances that shaped him. Was he truly bad, or was he a product of a corrupt and violent environment? This question invites us to reflect on the broader theme of how our surroundings and experiences influence our actions.

Jon Bon Jovi’s “Santa Fe” captures this complexity beautifully. The song reflects on the idea that the world can corrupt even the best of us, turning good people into villains. It speaks to the universal struggle against sin and the harsh realities that can drive people to desperate actions. This theme is echoed in the Bible, where we are reminded that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT).

However, the message of the Gospel is one of hope and redemption. Despite our sins and the world’s influence, God’s grace is available to all. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (NLT). This promise of redemption is available to everyone, regardless of their past.

Henry McCarty’s life, though tragic, serves as a reminder of the power of redemption and the hope we have in Christ’s offer of forgiveness. While we cannot know if Henry himself received that redemption, we who are of the faith have the assurance that redemption is available to all who humbly seek it through Christ. His story invites us to have faith that no matter how marred our past, the redemptive grace of God can make us new creations through the sacrifice of God’s Son. As Christians, we hold fast to the promise that through sincere repentance and faith, we receive the blessed assurance of our redemption both in this life and in the life to come. And we can hope that a merciful God who understands all circumstances showed grace and forgiveness to Henry as well, despite the sins of his troubled life.

As we reflect on the life of Henry McCarty, let us remember that our own lives are also shaped by the world around us. We may not face the same trials and tribulations, but we all encounter challenges that test our faith and character. In these moments, we must turn to God for strength and guidance, trusting in God’s infinite wisdom and mercy.

Let us also be mindful of the power of redemption that is available to us through Jesus Christ. No matter how far we may have strayed, God’s grace is sufficient to cover all our sins. By embracing this truth, we can live with the assurance that we are forgiven and loved, and we can extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In the end, we are all “heading back to Santa Fe,” where we will face judgment for our actions. But through faith in Christ, we can find forgiveness and eternal life, no matter how marred our past may be.

PRAYER
Eternal Lord, we give thanks for your boundless grace and mercy that sustains us daily. Forgive our sins and guard our hearts against the corrupting influences around us. May we cling to the hope of salvation offered through your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.