“Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, “what is His name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:13-14) (ESV).
Moses was talking to the one who IS and is TO BE, as there will never be anyone like Him. But there remains to be some misunderstanding of who the I AM is. Even at our time, people come up with their own imaginations, attempting to describe the one who IS and will remain TO BE.
Interestingly, as appreciated in our language, the term “I am” denotes the being that would be speaking. This implies the person taking full responsibility in causing anything, at any given time. The one causing positive effects at any given time can be viewed as responsible for causing that effect. This could be anyone, as long as attributed as responsible for causing that effect.
By consciously not taking full responsibility of whatever the person effects, that person behaves abnormally. This, basically, describes what is commonly observed, even in our relational interactions. By acknowledging being cause, the person becomes responsible, as the “I AM” works in that person.
When acknowledging being cause of any benefit, the I AM, is ultimately responsible, though not seen by physical eyes. The doing aspect should be directed at how other people benefit, rather than how one benefits, necessarily. The I AM focuses on value addition more than anything else.
What is known as the Lord’s Prayer, clarifies this point further. That Prayer is what was given to believers as a model. It is therefore wrong to call it the Lord’s Prayer. That prayer is intended to allow God to do His will in a petitioner’s life. The most important thing is not to separate the I AM from ordinary people.
If Moses was to be taken to a court of Law, and asked to answer for his actions, Moses would declare that the I AM would be responsible. The buck stops at Moses having been responsible for the cause of those activities. In other words, by declaring ‘I AM,’ Moses admits being responsible for causing the effect. But the term “I AM” is referring to the supreme authority.
The I AM refers to the one who IS and will remain TO BE not the physical Moses, necessarily. Therefore, even though convicted on his own plea, of being the one responsible, Moses would not be the one responsible, but the I AM. Obviously, this confuses those who would be certain of having observed Moses, being the one responsible for the cause.
All this is just but my attempt to describe that there is no cause in this world without the involvement of the one who IS and will remain TO BE. The problem of humanity has always been inability to attribute causes to the one who IS and will remain TO BE. This projects reason for Christian failure to truly represent God in this world. Jesus hinted the stupid behaviour of the Pharisees of His time:
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:39-47) (ESV).
In Jesus was the I AM, just as the same I AM was in Moses. Apparently, God cannot do anything in this world, without using physical human beings. The I AM can actually use anyone—considered mighty, or despicable. But, instead of acknowledging the I AM, in the person being used, humanity have tendency to either idolize or invalidate the person being used. This is common in our time, as it was common in ancient times.
The leprosy cleansing of Naaman, the Syrian Army Commander is, obviously, one of the most interesting stories in the Old Testament Bible. The I AM had used a despised slave girl, in desiring to cure the Commander of his leprosy. Instead, the army Commander, sought to engage political protocol—directed at the King of Israel—treating the simple slave girl as non-existent. (2 Kings 5:1-14).
The reason why those Pharisees sought to give glory to one another, is because they did not know who the I AM was, as represented in Jesus. The I AM is only represented in truth and not in falsehood, regardless of humanity’s involvement. Scientifically, truth and falsehood cannot co-exist, as they are opposed—one to the other. But truth will always prevail, as it represents what IS, and what remains TO BE.
Falsehood is basically found in desiring to impress, instead of expressing. People desire to be respected, rather than being disrespected. This is projected in our educational system. See [What’s in a title, if not to deceive?]. And [Christianity serves to invalidate God’s Kingdom?].
Who is responsible for Christian activities? If all Christians were to appreciate the significance of the I AM—denominationalism would suddenly vanish. What currently prevails is that the I AM, gets limited to the person taking focus to him/herself. Instead of the I AM—as was revealed to Moses.
The mistake of taking focus to oneself, when being used by the I AM, cost Moses the chance to enter into the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:10-12). The only reason why such stories appear in our Christian Bible, is basically to learn from them. Those Israelites also sought to idolize Moses, instead of acknowledging the I AM that was doing all wonders through Moses.
The starting point is knowing that God is represented in truth. And truth is not what is conjured by any person who seeks to receive glory to him/herself. Truth is what IS and will remain TO BE what IS. Only a person interned in falsehood or insanity would claim to represent truth.
Truth has got nothing to do with arguments projected from denominational varieties. Truth projects the I AM who is the cause of everything that exists, including the insane people seen roaming the streets. This is why it is only the humble ones who are predisposed to access the truth.
On his way to Damascus, Saul was confronted by the I AM. “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, ‘Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And Saul said, ‘Who are you, Lord’ and he said, ‘I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (Acts 9:3-5) (ESV).
Obviously, as one of the chief Pharisees, Saul may have known Jesus and may have as well been one of those scornfully mocking Him on the cross. However, right here, on his way to Damascus, Saul is confronted by the I AM and Saul begins to interact with the one who IS and will always BE.
No-one can blame Paul for having been so zealous for God, as to murder his fellow men, without attracting that same blame to him/herself. Truth is represented in I AM and not in falsehood—associated with pride—under Satan’s deception. Moses could not have known the I AM without the I AM revealing Himself to Moses.
The physical Jesus was not, necessarily, the I AM. But the I AM was present in physical Jesus—just as Moses was not the I AM—yet the I AM dwelt in Moses. The only difference between Moses and Jesus, is that in Jesus was not found any sin. However, the I AM used Moses to accomplish everything He wanted done, regardless of the flaws that existed in Moses.
Even today, the same I AM is capable of using anyone, without considering the background of the individual concerned. Therefore, all human beings deserve being treated equally, regardless of their sinful background. In other words, if in possession of truth, it is incumbent upon me to help those without truth to come to terms with truth.
Other people may either fail to appreciate a person being used by the I AM, in projecting the truth. But, when taking the initiative to seek the truth from the person concerned, those people could access the same I AM, they acknowledge as being their God.
The reason why God cannot be likened to anything, is that He lives among people, and not in some other imaginary location. What is important is appreciating that in each human being, whether Christian or not, there is the existence of the I AM.
The question of how to appreciate the reality of the existence of the I AM in another person, lies in understanding. This comes by testing all things (1 Corinthians 2:10). For instance, the I AM existed in the poor man Lazarus, instead of the pompous rich man. Jesus further clarified this reality when describing what would happen at His second-coming (Mathew 25:31-46).
The I AM can exists, even among the drunkards and the prostitutes (Matthew 21:28-32). The I AM also exists among the unbelievers, as illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The I AM cannot be seen by physical eyes, which are blinded in categorising people, rather than loving all as self. (Matthew 7:12, 1 John 4:20-21 & Proverbs 17:5).
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing reliefs to those having witnessed strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long awaited providential oasis of hope.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99
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