Psalm 139:14 English Standard Version (ESV) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.^[a]
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Footnotes ^[a] Or for I am fearfully set apart

Being human is unique in the animal kingdom. We can understand the idea of being set apart from all the other animals. Some resent being classified as an animal. This is not to argue that point but to explore what being human means.

There are two distinct paths that are followed in defining what it means to be human. The first is anthropology. That is genetic in design. We evolve as a species and if we want to argue that point please look at the first photographs that are available to show us what mankind looked like some 200 years ago.

The nature of man has not changed but our appearances have changed. We as a species have become bigger and stronger and better looking from all appearances. Not everyone but in general. Because the amount of pure knowledge in the scientific fields has increased exponentially over the decades there is a sense that we have become smarter as a species.

The second approach is created beings. This begs to be seen as being created by a god with creation abilities. Excuse the use of the small g as opposed to the capitol G. In the arena of creation the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does not stand alone. There are many cultures with many gods but to identify the one true God that created everything is a Herculean task unto itself.

At this point we must ask ourselves which god has made Himself known. Which god has made Himself known in any real and tangible way that is known to each and every believer in a personal way?

This is where the fear part of creation takes on its most salient point.

Since God loves us and gives us free will there is always the danger that we might choose to leave Him.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 English Standard Version

⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

When they preach the Good News they don’t tell us this.

Ephesians 4:1-3 English Standard Version

¹ I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Rebellion is not a good word. We did not think ourselves to be in rebellion with God when we sought mercy from the Lord. We were only thinking about being set free from the pain with no consideration for the cause of the pain. We were held captive by the flesh and being torn away from the flesh is a painful process.

God in all His mercy and grace is kind and gentle as we finally find peace with God. Peace comes at a price which is not evident at first. As babes in Christ we are held in gentle arms that protect us and make us feel safe.

Then we grow up in Christ and as we do we come to know the truth. He captured us with His love but captives we are and He is Lord even if we did not know it at first.

We know Christ line upon line precept upon precept. All that Christ is in identity, personality, and Lordship is in the Word. Our first perceptions of His touch on us is found in the bible.

If we believe we know it all, we fool ourselves. We are meant to be full of Christ not full of ourselves.

He loves us and will not force Himself on us, we need only surrender.