He is "I Am"

It seems like a lot of people are suffering from a poor self image these days. Much of it comes from the way they are raised. In our society today there are a lot of "put downs." To try to help compensate, we try to build up people's self esteem. We even tell them that they are a person of infinite worth to the Lord — that if Jesus had to die for only them, he would have.

This is all true and wonderful. It is also almost beyond our ability to comprehend.

There is also an equally important truth: without Him, I am nothing. As a matter of fact, to be effective in serving Christ, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30) I heard Louie Giglio talk about God being called, "I Am." He said that the implication of that statement is that, "I am not." We must remember this. Jesus Himself even said, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30) His identity was doing the will of the Father and completing the work God had given him to do.

So we should feel better about ourselves knowing that God loves us and accepts us. We should feel even better about ourselves because our Christian brothers and sisters affirm, love, and support us. However, we must remember that without Him we are nothing and that we must actually decrease in order for Him to work more freely through us. It's not about me; it's all about Him.

As we have a desire to serve Jesus Christ more, it may not be by working harder or doing more. We may serve Jesus Christ more by getting more of us out of the way and by lifting Him up more. Let's let His Spirit flow through us more freely as we decrease and He increases. He is the one who can save, heal and deliver. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Great "I Am." He is the "I Am." We are the "I am not." Yet because of the Spirit in us, we can know we are of great value and worth!

Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)