Who Am I?

Mystery Part 1: Who Am I?

My wife, Trish, came home from her school with a page bearing the Four Big Questions asked by billions of people over the past thousands of years:

1.       Who am I? The world's answer: A clever monkey

2.       Where did I come from? The world's answer: Out of the primordial slime

3.       Why am I here? The world's answer: No reason

4.       Where am I going? Or, what will happen to me when I die? The world's answer: Nothing, that is the end of you.

Our civilization is thousands of years old, yet the world has no satisfying answers for any of these questions. As I read what Trish had brought home I felt very saddened; it is no wonder that so many people feel trapped and are unfulfilled, restless and depressed if they believe these answers. "Surely", they seem to be saying, "the beauty of love, family, friendship, and our world and the universe, and all the vast symbiosis we see among the millions of species on our planet, it all must have some meaning!"

In the Old Testament Job's friend asks him a rhetorical question:  "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" (Job 11:7). Zophar knew that the answers to these two questions were "no" and "no".

Well, I am delighted to report that when we meet Jesus and enter His Kingdom, these Big Four mysteries of life receive cheering answers!

God's Word tells us from Paul: "My goal is that they, [God's people], may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3).

It seems clear to me that Paul is saying that if we know Jesus, we also know the whole of the content, or secret, of the mystery which has hung over humankind since the Fall - (Adam and Eve began their lives in intimate and loving relationship with God, they would not have been troubled by these Four Big Questions).

Jesus is more than God's Son, He is God. It was Jesus who humbled Himself to come to Earth as a human baby, then boy, then man, to redeem humankind who were a fallen race (Genesis 3) and were living a fallen life (John 3:16). Jesus bought us back for His beloved Father (Galatians 3:13), so that Father God might have many children, (Hebrews 2:10), children just like the human Jesus (Genesis 1:26), and so that the Father could give His Son a bride (Revelation 19:7, 21:9).

If Zophar were to ask his questions today, in these New Covenant times, the answers would be "yes" and "yes" in Jesus!

"[Jesus] replied, 'Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you .. '" (Matthew 13:11).       

".. we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began". A literal translation of this verse might read "We declare the divine wisdom hidden in a mystery" (1 Corinthians 2:7). "Mystery" is such a strong Christian word; it is God who has all the answers!

"these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Then we realise again how blessed we are to be New Covenant believers in Jesus; we are "born again" (John 3:3), we are made a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17),  and we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) when we believe in Jesus, repent of our sins and come to Him!

So it is no surprise that a Christian's life is full of good things ..

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

Question 1: Who am I?

Who am I? Who are you? We are both children of God because we were uniquely created by Him. Some people know that this is true and, sadly, some do not.

You are precious, and were hand made by Jesus to be you! He wants you to be saved from your sins and transgressions so that you can become His brother or sister, and His friend and co-worker.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.  For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame'" (Romans 10:9-11).

.. "will not be put to shame" .. Isn't that a mighty promise? (See Romans 8:1).

Identity is a subject much discussed in Western countries today. Many people are not sure who they are, or even what they are. I believe that this is part of the reason for the epidemic our cultures are experiencing in depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. The good news is that Jesus gives us a profound identity and grows us so we can experience life to the full.

 

"The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you - they are full of the Spirit and life" (John 6:63).

God has always known that one day you and I would be born, He planned it as carefully as He planned and implemented the Creation: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  he predestined us for adoption to sonship [and daughter-hood] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" (Ephesians 1:4-5). You are here because Jesus wants you to actively be His brother or sister and to bring glory to God!

There is an aspect of identity that is only true of unbelievers. God has made each of us, but each of us are born in a fallen world and set apart from God (Isaiah 59:2). This affects our identity. Non-believers are cut off from the source and meaning of life (Romans 11:36) and from the fullness of the spiritual world; often they are not sure who they are. 

Some deny God’s existence despite the fact every person "knows" in their inner self that God is real: "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" (Romans 1:19-20). I have read where people have said "God is not real, and I hate Him". Others say "God you are not there but I miss you". 

We are made to share with God and to reflect who He is. But, being born into a fallen world, we start life "dead in [our] sins" and "by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:1-3). Is there some way to be redeemed, to get past our guilt and sin? Yes, Jesus came to save us!

Scriptural Truth: Who I Am

•  I am protected by God (Luke 10:19)

•  I am God's child (John 1:12)

•  I am a branch of the true vine, joined to Jesus (John 15:4-5)

•  I am Jesus' friend (John 15:15)

•  I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)

•  I am assured all things work together for good for me (Romans 8:28)

•  I am free from any charge against me (Romans 8:31-34)

•  I am God's co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:9)

•  I am God's temple (1 Corinthians 3: 16)

•  I am united with the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:17)

•  I am bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

•  I am established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21)

•  I am filled with God's Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22)

•  I am free (Galatians 5:1)

•  I am a saint, consecrated and set apart for God (Ephesians 1:1)

•  I am God's adopted child (Ephesians 1:5)

•  I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

•  I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

•  I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Profound .. No wonder we know we are blessed!

Amen.

 

The next article on PsalmsOfJohn.com entitled "Mystery: Why? Where From? Where To?" discusses the other three of these Big Four Questions ..

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Praise Jesus.