As Christians, we cannot pursue or possess those things that Superman had; integrity, honesty, and compassion cannot exist within this fleshly body. They cannot exist in a soul that remains firmly tied to sin we refuse to repent of and turn away from. The Lord Jesus Christ taught us that we simply cannot expect to live within the flesh and feed those lusts while possessing the fruits of the spirit: No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13). We cannot show genuine compassion to anyone – our family, friends, or those we minister to – if we let hatred for others within our hearts. We cannot walk in integrity in our life when we are disobedient to God. We cannot expect others to trust us when we are not faithful to the things of God. Jesus even provided this very guidance when teaching the multitude and disciples: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much (Luke 16:10). If we are not faithful in our personal daily Bible study, prayer life, and devotional time with God, then how can we ever be considered faithful in our other areas of Christian service?
Another thing we learn from Superman is that he did what was right even when it was not popular or led to isolation from those around him. As Christians, we are to follow after God even when it seems we are doing so by ourselves. Even the Lord Jesus Christ taught us Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law (Luke 12:51-53). There are those that will not find our faith in and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ acceptable; we will be openly ridiculed, and judged by the world’s version of “Christianity.” When we sincerely desire to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ and live a life that is honoring to him, we will often find that family members and friends may not understand. Even Jesus commented that Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also (John 15:20). It is not that we are being rejected it is that they are rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, he does not call us all to be Supermen and Superwomen. He calls us to live a life that reflects Him. He calls us to be a light in a dark world – No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light (Luke 11:33). He calls us to be salt – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13). Just as Superman was different than those he was around, we too, are called to be different than those around us; in fact the apostle Peter wrote that ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (I Peter 2:9). Our stories may not be as grand as those old television and radio serials, may not have the cool special effects that Hollywood puts into movies today, or even have the complex storylines and evil villains as the comic books, but for Christians, the challenges are real, the rewards are eternal, and we serve a risen Savoir!
