So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
“I’m only human!” We’ve all heard that statement and perhaps even said it a time or two. It’s true. We are human, but it should never be seen as an excuse for poor behavior. Jesus honored humanity by fulfilling what God promised in the Garden of Eden, to deliver us from sin and its consequences.
When we say "I'm only human" to excuse our failures or sins, Jesus hears us with deep empathy for our weaknesses. He lived thirty-three years as a human. He understands what it is to be weak, tired, grieved, and tempted. He doesn’t look at our fragility as a flaw. He does not see us with disgust or condemnation. No one understands like Jesus. He gives us mercy, forgiveness, and grace. He understands when we stumble.
But He loves us too much to let this become a way of life. Rather than simply accepting “I’m just human” as a reason, an excuse, or a shield for wrong, He offers something different. Our human fallibility is not a way to escape personal responsibility and free will. Jesus calls us to humility and hope, offering a higher, better, transformed life. He came to earth to be one of us, and He designed that His personal experiences would be recorded as tangible examples for our own lives. Even more, He has promised us His divine presence and power to help us walk faithfully.
The power for transformation from the “I’m only human” lifestyle to the “I’m becoming more and more like Jesus” reality comes through two major avenues: First, I begin choosing grace and growth over excuses. “I’m only human” keeps me stuck in a cycle of excuses and failure. Choosing to humbly confess my failures without self-justifying excuses opens me to receive Jesus’ grace, forgiveness, and health. I grow into a healthier person, more like Jesus, every time I do. I listen to and obey the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit when He returned to heaven. He did! Now we have the Spirit of God living within us. We are no longer “only human.” We have the power of God Himself in us, empowering us to make new choices and “incarnate Jesus” through our own lives. We don’t need to be stuck in our old ways.
- Becoming more and more like Jesus is not a possibility; it’s a promise, a privilege, and a command. I am not “only human.” I am a Spirit-filled child of God who is becoming more and more like Jesus as I live in obedience.