I AM
One of the certainties of growing
older is the reality that those close to you will pass away. It is inevitable but it doesn’t have to be
disagreeable. Why? Well, it has to do with intimately knowing
God through Jesus Christ. I like what
the Ethiopian eunuch said to Philip, “See,
here is water! What prevents me from
being baptized” (Acts 8:37). Why did
he say that? It is because he learned
the: who, what, where, when, how, and
why’s of the gospel message; that is, having a relationship with Jesus. In my mom’s case, she became a follower of
Christ in her mid-thirties. She was
faithful to God and relied heavily on the teachings of the gospel. I do not grieve her passing, in the way the
world does, but I am encouraged that through Jesus Christ all people can have
an eternal life with God in Heaven (cf. 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Here is what Jesus said of Himself in the Book of John. They are typically called the “Seven I am statements”. They are powerful statements of love, sustenance, comfort, protection, direction, salvation, and purpose. If we have been buried with Christ in baptism and subsequently risen we can also, by obedient faith in Christ, look forward to our future resurrection of life in Christ.
God bless
John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
Here is what Jesus said of Himself in the Book of John. They are typically called the “Seven I am statements”. They are powerful statements of love, sustenance, comfort, protection, direction, salvation, and purpose. If we have been buried with Christ in baptism and subsequently risen we can also, by obedient faith in Christ, look forward to our future resurrection of life in Christ.
- “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger,
and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35; cf. John
6:48).
- “I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; cf. John
9:5).
- “I am the
door. If anyone enters by me, he will be
saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9; cf. John
10:7).
- “I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd lays down
his life for the sheep” (John 10:11; cf. John 10:14)
- “I am the resurrection
and the life” (John 11:25).
- “I am the way, and
the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- “I am the vine; you
are the branches. Whoever abides in me
and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do
nothing” (John 15:5; cf. John 15:1)
God bless
John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" on June 29, 2015
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