Are there humans that have supernatural abilities?

 Are there humans that have supernatural abilities?

Are there humans with abilities beyond the norm? The term supernatural refers to manifestations or events considered to be beyond what is natural in origin. The majority of individuals have abilities which are common, or shared by all. Some may be exercised in greater degree by one person or another, while another person may show a greater propensity for a particular ability. Yet, we all exhibit common abilities. One person may draw like Michelangelo while another’s art work may more closely resemble that of a grade schooler. I may blow a horn in a manner resembling a mountain goat, while you might be a great musician. Still, we all draw and we can all blow air into a tube. The supernatural suggests an ability beyond what is common to man in general.

In the Old Testament Moses is seen stretching out his hand over the Red Sea. As he did, the waters divided. They divided so completely that the nation of Israel was able to cross over the sea “on dry ground” (Exodus 14:14-29). When Moses next extends the rod over the sea all of Pharaoh’s army is drowned. That is a miracle. However, it is not a supernatural power.

In Exodus we are shown the plagues that came upon Egypt just before Israel was finally freed from bondage. In Exodus 7:1ff Moses goes to Pharaoh with a request for freedom. And to vindicate his authority from God he casts his rod on the ground and it becomes a serpent. However, Pharaoh’s magicians are also able to do the same thing. Moses’ serpent/rod is able to swallow theirs. Still, they did produce a miracle. However, it was not a supernatural power.

In the New Testament (Acts 3:1ff) Peter and John approach the temple. As they do, a lame man is near the entrance begging for aid having been left there by his friends. Peter and John approach declaring they are totally broke financially but, declaring they are able to give him one gift. With that, they tell him to stand up and walk. That man, lame from birth, was able to stand and walk. That is a miracle. However, it is not a supernatural power.

In Revelation chapter 13 we see a ‘beast’ mortally wounded and miraculously healed. It is a miracle. However, even this is not a supernatural power.

None of the above miracles are the result of innate powers. For Peter, John and Moses their power was derived from the God they worshipped. Likewise, in the work of Pharaoh’s magicians, as well as the beast of Revelation, the power comes from the god they worshipped. It is not a supernatural power within the individual himself.

When the Spirit of God (or Satan) indwells, or comes upon, a person that person may be granted the ability to perform a miracle. But, we have no evidence that any man has ever been born with supernatural powers; no vision rays, no invisibility, not even the ability to fly without the aid of planes, etc. Each of us can do great things in one respect or another. But, none of us has the power to perform any deed beyond “natural” human ability. But for God, the normal is super-natural.

When a person becomes saved, or born-again, the Spirit of God indwells that person and the greatest of all miracles occurs (II Cor. 5:17). God performs an out-patient heart transplant, a truly “super” natural event. Ezekiel 11:19 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh….” God takes a person dead in sin, destined for an eternity in hell as the child of the Devil (John 8:44) and transforms him in one moment of time into an eternal being alive in Christ, a joint heir with Christ and in right standing before God (Romans 5:8-10). The work of God in saving a man is both a miracle and supernatural in its power. Even the greatest supernatural power imaginable to man would pale in comparison to the saving grace of God.

No, there are no humans with supernatural powers. But, born again believers draw upon the power of our supernatural God every day.

THE BATTLE

  The Battle

2Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If we were going to war we would not allow the things of this world to distract us. And, in our more modern thinking, we would not likely be concerned with pleasing the one who chose us for any army. However, one can see the intent of this statement just the same, “Please God with your life since it is God who chose you to become one of His own.” He chose you.

                We get so caught up with the things in this world, never really understanding their temporal nature. The Apostle John saw it almost 2000 years ago; I John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (v.16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Everything around us is temporary and has no lasting purpose or value. We live in a spiritual universe, not physical. It is the spiritual which will continue not the physical. We put so much value on the things we see, striving to attain, working to gain more, finding ways to preserve or retain more “things”. When, in reality, it is the spiritual realm around us that actually matters. We are a brief physical manifestation in an eternal spiritual realm. The primary focus should be our eternal souls. But instead, we hold feverishly to our bank accounts, our public image, the status we have in society and all the possessions we have amassed, never pausing to consider that in a single moment of time it will all vanish.

                Our focus must become our relationship with God. The verse we cited above mentions soldiers. Timothy assumes first that we are members of God’s army, that we are born again children of God*. The children of God are the soldiers that Paul makes reference to in this verse. Too many of us become sons of God and then choose to stay home and not join in with the army of God. It is not a separate enlistment. When one becomes a child of God they are automatically enlisted in his army. Sadly, many of God’s soldiers choose to stay home and not join in the battle. God is warring for the souls of men. He is trying to save as many as possible before the end while a large part of his own army remains “encamped” at home in the comforts of this physical world.

                We must learn to focus on the battle. Paul told Timothy our war, our fight, must be one in which we are free from the affairs of this life. Our focus should be the souls of men, they are eternal. Every person we see will one day stand (or kneel) in the presence of God. The only question is whether they kneel as born-again believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ or as condemned souls at the Great White Throne. 

As Christians, our current concern seems to be more about maintaining other’s friendships and affections today in the few short years we share in this physical realm. We are in a battle for their souls. Release the hold of worldly affections and do everything possible to get them under the sound of the Gospel. Yes, it may cause us to lose their companionship today. But, if they finally, somewhere in life, meet Christ because of our testimony would the loss of their friendship today be too great a price to pay? The eternal gratitude of a redeemed soul will be of far greater value than anything this world offers.

                We are in a great spiritual battle and the only things which are eternal are the souls of our family, friends and acquaintances here. Turn your eyes to the battlefield and become one that the Father can be glad he chose for the fight. Be the soldier God has called you to be. Don’t be timid or shy. We must all come to the place in our Christian life where we can say with Paul, “… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

                Get in the battle “that (you) may please him who hath chosen (you) to be a soldier.”

 

 *If you have not been born again then stop here please and read: http://christxalted.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-be-born-again.html)