I AM

Unbelievers who are rational and honest will admit that Jesus actually lived on Earth, but of course only as a man. They usually describe His life by saying, "He was...." And unfortunately, many Christians live defeated lives because their faith is focused upon the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Ascension as past events. To them, "Jesus was...." This group, while praising the Lord for what He has done, also looks forward with great anticipation to His Second Coming, when "He will...." Hymns are sung and sermons are preached that speak of golden streets, mansions, crowns, and freedom from worry, disease, pain, sin, and death. What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see! Hallelujah! We sing "Amazing Grace" about the past, and "When We All See Jesus" about the future. But what about now? Even when most of us speak of Jesus now, during the age of the Church, few say "He is...." without adding "about to..." or "coming soon."

Today, most Christians are worrying about which party is in the White House, the corruption in the Congress, terrorists, abortion, homosexual marriage, illegal immigration, etc. And while I agree that these issues are of extreme importance, they have replaced the Church's assignment to focus on winning the lost to Christ and teaching those who accept Him as Lord. Most do not regularly attend church, read their Bible, pray in faith, or give to support missions. Instead, they focus upon their work, family, friends, hobbies, etc. They will show pity on the homeless and support causes to save the planet, save abused pets, save historic sites, etc., but seem to have forgotten that someone had cared enough to share Christ to save them. I do not know the percentage but I believe nearly 100% of all people who accept Jesus are invited to a Bible study or to church. But since only a small percentage of professing Christians still go to church, it is unlikely that they are inviting others.

It is as though the Church has forgotten God's name: I AM! Jesus seldom spoke of His pre-incarnation existence, nor did He particularly focus upon the future. He said, "I AM" and then "the Bread of life; the Light; the Door; the Good Shepherd; the Son of God; the resurrection and the life; the Way, the Truth, and the Life; the True Vine" (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11; 10:36; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Jesus IS the food that sustains us. He IS the Light that guides us. He IS the Door to which we are to lead others. He IS the One who cares for and protects us. He IS God's Son. He IS our hope for resurrection and eternal life. He IS the Roman Road, the Word of God, and the Life in Whom we are to live. He IS, as the Vine, our source of nourishment, relationship, and reproduction (fruit carries the "seed" to produce new life). Who Jesus was, and Who He will be are important, but Who He IS to you today determines whether or not you are being a faithful Christian. His name is, "I AM!"