I’m Only Human

by Ney Rieber
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 4, December 1995

When someone uses the phrase "I’m only human!" you can be pretty sure that they are getting ready to do something inhumane. What do we mean when we say "I am only human?"

Most often, "I’m only human!" is used to describe a person's baseness. It is used to indicate that one has reached the end of one's patience and is about to take some action that is not very nice.

How many times have you heard "I can only take so much; I’m only human," or perhaps "I can’t help it; I’m only human"? "I’m only human" indicates that some rash action is about to be taken? Perhaps you have heard, "My old human nature just reared up and I did it!" or "The animal in me..." or "My animal nature can only tolerate so much." "I’m only a man" - all phrases used to indicate that patience has been exhausted. "I’m only a man" is also an excuse. It means, "I can’t help myself because of what I am."

Being "human" is used as an excuse to do harm or as a means of justifying the evil one does. People have come to ascribe evil to human nature and hold a very low opinion of it. Is this a valid and scriptural perspective?

What does being "human" really mean? Webster defines human as "being or characteristic of man." This definition of what it means to be human does not indicate evil. Cognates of "human" indicate just the opposite. Humane means to be marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for others. A humanitarian is one who practices philanthropy (the love of mankind).

Webster indicates that being human is a good thing, not a bad thing. The Scriptures indicate something even greater. They tell us that being human is being in the image of God. The first man was created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 reads, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

After the fall, after man became subject to sin, man is still in the image of God. In Genesis 9:6 we read, "Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man."

Jeremiah 1:4-5 tells us that the infant in the womb is still created by God when he writes, "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou earnest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Isaiah 44:24 conveys a similar idea when it says, "Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself." To say "I’m only human" is to say that I am the special creation of God.

To say, "I’m only human," is to say I am in the image of God! Being human is also being the object of God’s love. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Other passages, such as Ephesians 2:1-5 and Titus 3:3, say the same thing. God loves mankind. He loves mankind without qualification or reservation. He loves mankind enough to die for mankind. Being only human is to be blessed by the love of God.

Being human is having the ability to live righteously! Romans 2:14-15 says, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another." Even the Gentiles who were not the recipients of God’s revelation could and did choose to live righteously.

Being human is having the ability to choose good. Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Life with God is a choice only humans can make. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). Joshua chose to serve God. He encouraged all Israel to do the same. Being human means that we have the ability and opportunity to choose to serve God!

Being human is having the ability to see beyond oneself. I John 3:16-18 reminds us that we are not in this life alone. There are others to help and be helped. It says, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." As humans, we have the ability to see beyond ourselves and care about others. We can show that concern in our treatment of others.

Being human is having the ability to be like Jesus. It is God’s desire that all mankind be like Jesus. We read in Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." To become like Jesus is to undergo a transformation of character. Paul writes in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." What a glorious concept - that this one who is "only human" can be transformed into the image of Jesus.
Being human is having the power to become children of God. The Apostle John, in John 1:12, wrote, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." God has given every human being that ever lived or will live the potential to become a child of His.

I’m only human. Only human? Being human, I am created in the image of God. Being human, I am the object of God’s love. Being human, I have the ability to live righteously. I have the ability to choose good. I have the ability to see beyond myself and have compassion for others. Being human, I have the ability to become like Jesus. I have the potential to become a Child of God!

Being only human - what a wonderful thing to be!