Resources/Articles
Who Are You? What Are You?
“I’m only human!” or “He’s only human!” is what some say in answer to the question of who we are or what we are. You hear it from the man on the street to talk-show hosts to the grandmother to the check-out clerk to those who defend the immorality of public officials.
“ONLY” is a qualifying term like “never”, “somewhat”, or “very”. It places value upon the word it modifies. In this case, human. The purpose in using this word is to minimize the importance of something or emphasize how small something is - “Don’t be alarmed. It’s only me”, or “Only one person survived the plane crash”. It is also used to remove the impact of consequences - “So what if I lost a hundred dollars. It’s only money”. Several people find it helpful in easing their transgressions - “I did it only one time!”
“HUMAN” is used to relay a condition of weakness or failing to measure up to a standard. It is depressing at times, but it also soothes the conscience. People may give a little smile when their behavior is not appropriate. They shake their head and seem to be saying, “Did I do that?” We appease ourselves by thinking that it was no worse than what someone else did. You see, “Nobody’s perfect.”
The word “human” is not found in the King James Version. The word “man” occurs over 2,000 times. This is how God sees mankind, and how He deals with each one of us. We are an entity, a quality of existence, not as “only human”. Although we are born as human beings, we commit sin and each sin belongs to us. Every lust that is conceived whether it be envy, hatred, or rebellion, brings forth sin. This is what condemns us to death. It is not that we are “only human”. Anyone who excuses sin in himself as “only human” does not understand sin. Trying to give lenience to a person’s transgression by saying they are “only human” is relieving man of any responsibility for his actions. It also helps in matters of judgment. Therefore, if I do not judge another “human”, I will not be judged.
No one knew of the sins Nathan committed. That information is not revealed, but he did not begin speaking to David after his affair with Bathsheba by saying, “Thou art only human as we all are.” Nathan pointed the finger at the man and the sin David committed and said, “Thou art the man”, not “Thou art human.” What motivated Nathan’s actions was obedience to God and horror toward sin. Do we have the same attitude?
If we resort to viewing our actions as merely part of “human nature”, then we make repentance and confessions of sin nothing more than a gesture of ritual because we got caught or we hurt someone’s feelings. Such attitudes make a mockery of the need for holiness, godliness, and righteousness in the lives of people who live in this present world (Titus 2:11,12). It ruins any true desire for being a complete man. It casts a shadow upon the need for justice. It holds God responsible for man’s inability to do or be better. It makes God unjust in condemning anyone who would sin.
This is not the time to be lenient on sin. It is time to understand it and be redeemed from its deception and bondage.
