I’ve never been a big Superman fan. I guess I’m more than a little offended that the producers of the show think if Clark Kent takes off his glasses, I won’t recognize him! However, recently I heard or read something about Clark Kent/Superman that I thought had great significance for Christians.

What if Clark Kent forgot he was Superman?

What if he left his Superman cape hanging in the closet instead of putting it on before dressing as the meek, mild-mannered Clark Kent? He would have to respond to any crisis in his own strength, not with the powers of Superman. What a waste, we think. He’s Superman! “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! This amazing stranger from the planet Krypton, the man of steel!” Yet he is being defeated every single day because he has forgotten who he is!

Does any of this sound familiar? What about us? We who are born again, spirit-filled sons and daughters of the most High God? Do we get up each day remembering who we are in Christ, or do we go about defeated every single day because we’ve forgotten who we are?

Scripture tells us the same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead, lives in us (Romans 8:11). Jeremy Camp sings about this power:

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave

The same power that commands the dead to wake

Lives in us, lives in us

The same power that moves mountains when He speaks

The same power that can calm a raging sea

Lives in us, lives in us He lives in us, lives in us

 We are never told to be strong in our own power but to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) I John 4:4 says, Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the Lord. Our hope is not in ourselves but in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 146:5-6).

 We have hope that His promises are true

In His strength there is nothing we can’t do

Yes, we know there are greater things in store

We will not be overtaken we will not be overcome

 Greater is He that is living in me, He’s conquered our enemy

No power of darkness No weapon prevails

We stand here in victory

(Jeremy Camp)

 If all these things are true, why are there so many defeated Christians? Could it be that we, like Clark Kent, have left our Superman cape hanging in the closet? Let’s look at some specific instructions about the clothing we need to wear to be overcomers.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,

humility, gentleness and patience.

[ and forgiveness]…

And over all these virtues put on love which binds them altogether in perfect unity.

(Col. 3:12-14)

 

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the world of God.

(Ephesians 6:13-17)

 So dear friends, while Clark Kent and Superman are only fictional characters who fight fictitious battles, the battles we fight are very real. If you identify all too well with Clark Kent who has forgotten who he is, I recommend two books by Neil T. Anderson (Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker) which will teach you who you are in Christ and how to use the Scriptures to be all that God created you to be. Don’t give others reason to say, “What a waste. She/he is a Christian!”

 

Thank you, Father, for all the promises you’ve given us. Teach us everything we need to learn so we can be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us (Romans 8:37). Amen.