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 ..

Permalink

https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/03/who-am-i.html

Praise Jesus.

Why? Where From? Where To?

Mystery Part 2: Why? Where From? Where To?

**  The next article on PsalmsOfJohn.com entitled "Mystery Part 1: Who Am I?" discusses the first of these Big Four Questions **

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.       What will happen to me when I die? Where am I going? 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 feel trapped and are unsatisfied, restless and depressed if they believe these answers. "Surely", they seem to be saying, "the beauty of love, family, friendship, and our world and universe, and the vast symbiosis we see among the millions of species on our planet, it all must have some meaning!"

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

".. we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began" (1 Corinthians 2:7).

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

"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 2: Why Am I Here?

On the sixth day of the Creation God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.  So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27).

So one purpose of our being here is to "rule". This does not mean to ravish and take whatever we want, but to rule, to steward, to care for and nurture. Wilderness which is managed (and often also protected), by humans is usually much more productive and more balanced than if people let nature simply take its course.

In Genesis 2:7 we read that "God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life". Our species began with the breath of God, and His desire is to remain in intimate contact and share His love with us.

We are the only creature with a spirit, a part of us that is from "the beginning" and never dies. Our spirit is our absolute essence. God's Spirit can bond with our unique spirit and then we become spiritually alive in Him, this may sound mysterious but it is very real; I have heard hundreds of testimonies from others who agree with my understanding.

We also have a soul; this is our personality, our will and our emotions. Some other creatures seem also to have a soul as we do, dogs, cats, cows, horses and whales come to my mind, I'm sure you can suggest many more (I’ve seen humpback whales playing in the ocean, an awesome sight) ..

We are also the only creature with language, when Genesis says that God created "a living being", the original Hebrew text can be translated as "a speaking spirit" (Genesis 2:7). Stephen Fry, the well known commentator and comedian says that every human child is "a miracle" because of our singular ability to acquire vocabulary and grammar from those around us, whatever the language or culture, and to express ourselves, not in pre-formed, or standard sentences like a computer, but uniquely in our own individual style! Indeed this is miraculous!

So you can see that humankind and monkeys have very little in common. We may share some DNA with the apes, but we also similarly share with many other species. Apes do not have a spirit. To link us with the ape species is like saying that a Governor's palace is the same as a city water treatment plant because they were built from the same kinds of bricks and tiles!

Humanity, or homo sapiens, is a completely separate species and always has been. Every species is a different "kind" (Genesis 1:12, 1:21, 1:24, 1:25, 6:20, 7:14), completely different. Every human was "made in the image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:27, Colossians 3:9-10), we are the only such species, to me a very satisfying truth!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

You were born for a purpose. God has created you for His glory and with great potential that He can use as you (and I) participate with Him in His work in the world. When He designed the Creation, you and I were included in His plans. Father God so loves Jesus that He wanted to have many children, you are one He chose and created to bring glory to Himself. Father God wanted to bring a bride to Jesus, He gave Him us, the church, as His bride, ultimately without "spot or wrinkle", a perfect bride for a perfect Husband! "to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27).

Jesus prayed: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world" (John 17:24). This prayer includes every Christian.

Scriptural Truth: Why I Am Here

•  I am the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14)

•  I have been redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14)

•  I am Jesus' co-worker (Matthew 5:13-14)

•  I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

•  I am a witness of Christ to the ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8)

•  I have been justified and have peace (Romans 5:1)

•  I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)

•  I have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)

•  I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)

•  I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

•  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

•  I have been called that God may work in me to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

Question 3: Where Did I Come From?

Every human being came from God's love, and for His love. “God  is love” (1 John 4:8,16). He is where love comes from .. and compassion, generosity, altruism, empathy, even kindness. We see these qualities every day, and everywhere, and know that our lives, families, governments and cultures would totally collapse without them. (See Note 1).

In the hypothetical (imaginary) model of the world that the "non-Creation" scientists tell us about, none of these things could possibly exist as theirs is a design-less, meaningless, anarchic, accidental, dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest world. This doesn't sound very nice and I'm glad I don't have to live in it. But our world is mostly full of peace and beauty with lots of love and great food! Everywhere we see symbiosis, millions of species working together around the whole world! Very reassuring! Praise Jesus!

Trish, and I have six grown children and four grandchildren. Our children came from Trish's and my love for one another; we (unknowingly) fitted in to God's plan that they should be born and grow "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14) .. They are God's creations and were given to Trish and I to love and nurture. We are delighted, and humbled and blessed by these great gifts. Every day our children are our joy!

Where do we come from? Primordial slime? There was no primordial slime. The possibility that life accidentally formed millions or billions of years ago has been discounted in many ways; there is no empirical (observed, seen, factual, actual, real, verifiable, first-hand) evidence of life forming accidentally. The proteins which have been manufactured in laboratories bear little in common with those found in life, and to make those found in living things, there are conflicts that to build one part of the protein molecule there will be so much heat or pressure, for example, that another completed part will be destroyed! I have pondered these things for many years and examined many arguments and now believe that one needs much, much greater faith to believe in primordial slime, or evolution, or millions and billions of years, than I have to believe the Word of God and His Creation narrative.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Scriptural Truth: Where I Came From

•  I am born of God (John 1:13, 1 John 4:7)

•  My spirit came from Holy Spirit (John 3:6)

•  I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be completed in Jesus (Philippians 1:6)

•  I am a full citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20)

•  I was born through the Word of truth (James 1:18)

•  I am born again of imperishable seed (1 Peter 1:23).

Question 4: What will happen to me when I die? Or, where am I going?

God created our spirit for eternity. It was some years after I became Christian that I realised that my eternal life had already begun (Romans 6:23), that I am already a child of Father God, my Abba Daddy, and am a brother to Jesus my Saviour God and my Lord (1 John 5:1). None of this will change when my physical, earthly, body dies. Sure, my body will stop working and my human relationships will end. My family and friends will miss me and will grieve; I believe that I accept this as part of this life. I have lost family and friends and have grieved. But God will continue to love me, (and you), with an indestructible love, for ever.

In Jesus I am already in almost continuous worship and I rule and reign with Him at the right hand of Father God! At the same time, here on planet Earth I face every-day troubles (John 16:33), and bigger troubles constantly, but I share in Jesus' work, I seek out ways I can help; I do my best to be obedient to Him, and will continue to do so!

Sometimes at meetings I get really excited and declare that we are "rocking with Jesus"; considering my generation and upbringing this is a huge affirmation! Other times can be a struggle, but it is never boring and never futile or a cause for despair. And I always move forward and always grow!

"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

It is the whole purpose of the Creation that we become and eternally remain family and fellow workers with Father God, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit, Counsellor and Enabler; and that the Godhead and the Creation are reunited in Jesus. This is the good news!

Scriptural Truth: Where I Am Going

•  I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35,38-39)

•  I am [eternally] seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

•  Jesus assures us that He is preparing a place for us in Heaven (John 14:2).

Simple but profound .. Such assurance .. When I die I will go "home" .. Praise Jesus.

Amen.

Favourite Scriptures

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20).

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:19-23). Totally awesome, right?

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:34-39).

"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" (Joh 14:2).

Amen.

Note 1

The Godly qualities of Christian people ensure that our societies survive, that our poorest and least able to defend themselves have someone looking out for them. Of the more than 1,000,000 volunteers in Australia, most are Christian even though we are just a small proportion of all the population. Of all the financial giving in the entire world, records show that more than three quarters of the money comes from Christians! You will not hear this from your favourite TV channel, radio station, or newspaper, but it is true. Much Christian giving is anonymous, and much of it is sacrificial, it costs the giver and affects their lifestyle, it is not trivial.

This generosity hugely helps the worlds wheels turn where there are gaps or hiccups left by the governments and corporations.

Praise Jesus.

Permalink

https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/03/why-where-from-where-to.html

Amen.