Chances are? ......Probably not!

The only "superhumans" I have ever seen? Were either in comic books, or on the T.V. (or movie) screens! ...Or those with a "rich" imagination!!

In fact I'd venture to say you are just like me! Just as "flawed" as I am! Or as any of those around you. No one has ever walked this earth who was not! ...Unless of course we talk about God (who did walk with Adam and Eve in the garden). Or Jesus of course!

We are flawed (Ecc. 7:20)! In fact so flawed? That it took God to send His only Son to die for us (Romans 8:3). To reconcile us to Him!

But we have such a hard time remembering this don't we? We often think that we have it "all together". And that others are wrong. That we tend to pick up such a "pharisee like" attitude!

And it is this attitude that filters into every other part of our lives. Especially when others wrong us! Or we wrong them!!

We think such things as, "how dare they do that to me". Or "I'm not forgiving them, that was inexcusable". Or, "Im not apologizing".  ...And our egos and pride take over!

And we do not heed what scripture tells us!

How to handle our anger:

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,"

                                    (Ephesians 4:26 NIV)

 "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
       for anger resides in the lap of fools."

                     (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV)

We "stew" in our anger and sin sets in....

We let it "consume" us. And our walk of faith. Affecting ourselves and those around us:

  "The heart knows its own bitterness,
      And a stranger does not share its joy."

                       (Proverbs 14:10 NKJV)

 ...And even our relationship with God!

  "But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
        And your sins have hidden His face from you,
        So that He will not hear."

                       (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV)

And here we "end up" with such great attitudes! And ways of looking at situations in which we are all so, "superhuman" and inoccent! And everyone else is wrong!!  ...Forgetting that it took God's great love and grace to bring us back into fellowship with Him (Romans 5:8). When we did not deserve it!

And we take on the role as the "one" who does not listen to correction:

  "He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
      But he who refuses correction goes astray."

                            (Proverbs 10:17 NKJV)

We end up, "doing our own thing". Thinking we are right:

  "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
        But the LORD weighs the spirits."

                     (Proverbs 16:2 NKJV)

But we have to remember. We all stumble in many ways. We are human! We are but a "breath":

 "Man is like vanity and a breath; his days are as a shadow that passes away."

                           (Psalm 144:4 Amp. B.)

We are frail! Our lives are short (Psalm 39:5). We make mistakes!

And even if we are aware of this? We often still fail to remember that everyone around us ARE human also! 

And when wronged? We are not willing to forgive those who have hurt us. Or we refuse to apologize to the the ones we have hurt!

And how the evil one must take great joy! In dividing us as people!! Whether it's church division. Or division among brothers and sisters in Christ!

In fact more church splits in history? Are the cause of offenses, than any other cause!

And we wonder why the world sees us (as believers) as being so "self-righteous"? When we are some of the worst when it comes to extending grace and forgiveness! To each other and to those outside!! We CAN be such awful examples!!!

You see we forget that unity is VERY IMPORTANT in the body of Christ! And among each other:

 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

                                   (Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV)

Love, grace and forgiveness are paramount in our faith!

Remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount?

 "Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God."

                  (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)

But where are the peacemakers today? We seem to get so upset with one another. And yes, some things can be very hurtful! We all do have a right to feel pain when we have been unjustly treated. But do we ever look beyond ourselves? ...Our own hurt?

Perhaps the offender is going through a really hard trial? ...Do we ever consider this?

We are so easily offended! Our hearts are sometimes, "worn on our sleeves". And we are called to forgive! But where is the grace? Where is the forgiveness?

There has to come a time of TRUE forgiveness! From the heart!! Not just words!!!

Or what if we offend others? Why do we not apologize for hurting them? 

Offenses have caused much church division. And the division of brothers and sisters in Christ.

...And even marriages!

And the question for all of us? Is this. If we offend? Do we admit fault? Ask for forgiveness? Or if someone offends us, do we choose to forgive them? ....Even if they never ask for it?

Afterall, God gave us Jesus when we NEVER even asked:

 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

                                      (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

Yes, there are some deep hurts (scars) that others can cause us. Or we can hurt others. But if we are to be the people the Lord has called us to be? People who know that God's love, grace and forgiveness is paramount above all things? Especially offenses? Then we must be willing to forgive others! And to "own" our own responsibility, when we hurt others!!

You see the question isn't necessarily will the person accept my apology (although the hope is they will!). But will you take responsibility and apologize? Or if they need forgiveness. Will you extend it to them?

And do you remember what Jesus said to Peter? When Peter questioned Jesus about forgiveness?

  "Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

                            (Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV)

So we know that it is important to forgive! From the heart!! ...Don't we?

Afterall, if we cannot forgive others? We will not be forgiven ourselves!

And we should be VERY grateful! That God does not treat us like we treat each other. We tend to carry around wrongs? Like "monkeys carry bananas"! Eager to pick them up, but not willing to put them down!! But when God forgives? ...It's forgiven (hint, hint hint!)!

You see love covers all sin:

"Hatred stirs up strife,
        But love covers all sins. 

           (Proverbs 10:12 NKJV)

And if we have been hurt? We need to address it in the proper way!

And what is that way?

Jesus said:

   “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."                          

                            (Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV)

But remember this. It needs to be done in a gentle and correct way! Just as you would like someone to speak to you!! With a "spirit" of gentleness in love!!!

 "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

                                 (Galatians 6:1 NKJV)

And if you have offended someone else?

Remember this:

  "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny."

                             (Matthew 5:23-26 NKJV)

You see we need to "own up" and accept our responsibilty for our wrongs! Whether they were on purpose. Or by mistake (accident, etc.)!!

It all comes down to this!

If you are, "superhuman"? Then disregard everything you have just read!

But if not?

Then you must consider the words of scripture we just read! From the one who created the world and everything in it (Genesis 1:1)!!

And owns all things! Visible and Invisible!!

  "for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”

                      (1 Corinthians 10:26 NKJV)

Who loved you enough that He gave His only Son's life for you (John 3:16)! When you were deserving of eternal punishment for you sin (Romans 3:23)!

You see it all comes down to this:

  "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

                                (1 John 4:8 NKJV)

God is love! And ....do you love others? ...Even when they hurt you?

"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

                            (1 John 4:20-21 NKJV)

And here is some, "food for thought":

   "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

                              (Galatians 5:14 NKJV)

  "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

                              (1 John 3:18 NKJV)

 "He who covers a transgression seeks love,
       But he who repeats a matter separates friends."

                              (Proverbs 17:9 NKJV)

 "Hatred stirs up strife,
        But love covers all sins.

          (Proverbs 10:12 NKJV)

   .....And?

One final, but VERY important thought?

  "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!"

                         (Galatians 5:15 NKJV)

...And if you do not know Jesus? I would encourage you to look to the one who loves you! So much that He gave everything for you. His life!

You see what Jesus does for us? Is what we cannot (nor could) do for ourselves! That being? Reconciling us to God!

Being a follower of Jesus? Is not about being "perfect" and "getting it right" all the time. But it is about realizing, that you cannot go through this life on your own! We all need Him. Yes, many of us will say, "I can do it on my own". But if you want true happiness? Forgiveness for your sin? A better and fulfilling life? Contentment? Then you need Jesus!

You see me? Myself? I did not always know Jesus! I had lived on the "other side of the fence" for most of my life. And all it ever brought me was heartache and broken relationships! ...And much sadness. Nothing could satisfy me! I always wanted more (out of myself, others and life in general).

But no matter what it was? There was never enough. Nothing and no one, that could make me feel "whole".          ...Not until the Lord got my attention! And how He did!!

That was over 16 years ago! And life has never been the same for me!! Now granted it hasn't been easy. But, I have NEVER walked alone! And now? Usually? If I go through trials. Many of them are because of my faith. Not because I caused them!

Yes, life is not easy following the Lord. Every TRUE believer knows this (for more info click here The "reality" of the real Christian life!). But the wonderful part is? Jesus did all the work (our salvation)!

it cannot be earned:

 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

                       (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV)

And what we have to do? Is to (repent and) receive it (His salvation)! And what He asks? Is that we follow Him!

So I would encourage you today. If you do not know Jesus? Your life is "unfulfilled"? Look to the One who could change your life forever! Give you peace, contenment, joy, love, happiness! And a place in heaven! In His presence forevermore (for more info click here: Will God accept me?).

Life is not easy for any of us! Some have a harder time, than others!! But the one thing we all have in common? We ALL need Jesus!

...None of us are "superhuman"!!