I AM

“I AM.” I can’t think of any other two-word statement which contains more potential, power or truth than this one, especially when you consider it is uttered by the Supreme Being. Humanly speaking, from the philosophy of Descartes to the mysticism of Tom Shadyac , we see a lot of ways to self-apply this “I AM” statement. Yet do any of these ways really account for anything?

Man has, since the foundation of society, been grappling with the concept of who we are, both individually and as a race. I say grappling because Man has by and large rejected the authenticity and authority of God’s Word. Once you reject the truth of the Word you are doomed to forever search for an ‘alternative’ to what you have rejected, desperately trying to find something – anything – to make sense out of your life. It’s an exercise in futility.

Because of this rejection (or ignorance) people grope about in spiritual darkness, searching for some glimmer of light. The problem is that the true light they encounter (God’s Word) doesn’t appeal to them, so they reject it. Instead, when they ‘discover’ an ephemeral something that tickles their emotions or thoughts, they hang onto it as deliberately as a drowning man a life raft. Rather than grasping hold on eternal truth, they manipulate and fabricate a reality that is anything but, well, real. It’s sad, but predictable.

In any event, what Man thinks is unimportant compared to what God thinks. So, what does God mean when He states “I AM?” Certainly more than what we can fully get into in a blog post, but we can focus on a few things – just to get a glimpse!

“I AM.” Do you realize that this is a statement that transcends time and space, and that it has both spiritual as well as physical implications? It is spiritual and scientific, all at the same time. By understanding some of the aspects of this statement (as they apply to the LORD) we gain an even greater appreciation of all that God is. By scratching the surface of what this statement means is to only begin to see the grandeur and magnificence of our Heavenly Father. It’s like a child who can’t yet add and subtract, yet strives to comprehend quantum physics! Yet we all have to start somewhere, so let’s first look at the scientific, physical aspect of what is implied when God states “I AM.”

The space-time continuum is a well-known concept in the field of physics. At its core is the accepted understanding that space and time are interconnected. To be involved (to exist) in one arena is to be involved in all other aspects. However, when God claims His name is “I AM,” He claims association with – in fact control of – the space-time continuum in every aspect. For Him to claim “I AM“ is to claim that He is the self-existent Lord of the space-time continuum.

He is present at all times, and because He is always present He is in all places. He is ‘there’ when time began and He is ‘there’ when time ends. He is there when you are born, He is there when you die and He is there with you every second in between. He is everywhere, all the time.

Just ponder that for a moment. A year ago, God was here (wherever ‘here’ is). He is here right now as you read this. He will be here a year from now, and He will be here 500 billion millennia from now! Does the amount of time matter? It doesn’t matter at all. A year, a decade, a century or millennia, they are immaterial to Him (either past or future), because He is here. “I AM.”

Jesus gives us an example of this thought when He makes the “I AM” claim;

Rev 1:8

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,” says the Lord, “which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Does distance matter to God? Many religions teach that there are specific places which are more ‘spiritual’ than others. The Muslims believe that Mecca is such a place. The Jews believe that Jerusalem is such a place. Other religions teach there are ‘sacred places.’ This question was even put to Jesus;

John 4:19-26

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Why would Jesus make such a claim? He makes this claim because He knows that God is present at all times and in all places! While the Lord has set aside Jerusalem to be the focal point of His kingdom on Earth, Jesus also knows that God is the great “I AM.” Wherever God is, that place is holy! He wants us to understand that God is not restricted to a particular place (or time), because He is Spirit. He is in all places and is present at all times. He is the great “I AM.”

This is part One of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!