Heroes or Real People

Romans 8:31-35, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (NJKV)   

I trust that you take note of my efforts to consistently remind you that each of us are real people that face the real issues of life. If we are not careful, we create the thought process in which we treat Biblical characters as super heroes rather than real people.   We are indeed just real, everyday people who write, sing, teach and preach about a real God who understands our real problems. The Apostle Paul stands out in the Real People Hall of Fame. He had physical problems. He had legal issues. He had interpersonal relationship struggles to deal with. And in all of this messy reality, he was setting an example for us. I am not encouraging you to think less of the Apostle Paul but I desire for you to realize that Paul lived in a real world and faced real challenges and issues. But he also taught us to trust in a real God who was aware of these real problems and that His presence was in our lives. His presence and participation in our lives would provide the answers we need. Our modern world is looking for a quick fix solution that they hope can be purchased in a paperback edition book or placed on a podcast with a very brief message. But God is looking for people who are willing to take the journey through life with Him. It is when we make this commitment to walk with God that we will be able to see the presence of God revealed in a unique manner during these “real moments” of life. I read these words in a devotional earlier this week; “Those around us who need the gospel—who need Jesus—are looking for believable people who can point them to our perfect Savior.   And that means we must be real. You, Lord, are perfection. Yet You welcome us imperfect people to come to You for salvation. You sent Your perfect Son to earth to die for us."   Help us to be real and genuine as we seek to point people to You.