Heroes Need Heroes

 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. (Galatians 6:1-4 ESV).

 

I follow the Marvel Universe. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Some of the recent films have run under the title of “The Avengers.” These characters are just a few within the Marvel family of heroes. Names like Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Captain Marvel have all had their names enshrined through this medium. The real key is that none of them by themselves are enough to win the victory. Together they are unbeatable.

 

The truth is that no matter how strong or heroic we are, we need one another in the community of faith. This is especially true of those who are walking through difficult circumstances, whether caused by their own choices or another’s. The Apostle Paul is so clear about this in our reading today. In fact, he says “…if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (v. 1).

 

I know we have all heard the common wisdom of “he made his bed, let him lay in it.” However, that is not the wisdom of God. And, it is not the example of God. Earlier Paul wrote to the Romans, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). And he says the restoration should be done in a spirit of gentleness. Strange how easy it is to desire retribution and punishment in others when we have been given reprieve and mercy.

 

The community of faith is a group of heroes, made such by the gift of God’s grace and power. We are called to defeat the enemy of God… by definition that is not a child of God. So, before you turn your wrath toward a brother or sister in Christ, step back and remember who you really are… simply another sinner turned into a hero by God’s grace.