Exodus 3:14
14God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
James 4:11-12
11Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Thoughts
God identifies himself as the “I am.” Think about that. “I am.” He doesn’t say “I am a…”. He simply says, “I am who I am.” In other words, there is none compared to God. God is God, because He is God. This is both reassuring and intimidating. It is reassuring, because He sent His son Jesus to save humanity, and intimidating, because at times we proclaim with our actions and words that we are the “I am.”
How do we proclaim that we are the “I am?” I’m glad you asked. We often make judgments, make up our own rules, break relationship with others, and elevate our preferences so much that they come across as God’s law. In our relationships, it is so easy to take the place of the “I am.”
God is the “I am” – the only lawgiver, the only king. He is the only Savior and Redeemer. God is the only boss, ruler, final authority… He is the “I am who I am.” As our creator, He knows us and can help us. He is the “I am.” Look at what James says about God: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. …But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11–12, ESV)
Application
Think about your relationships today. How have you tried to be the “I am?” How have you tried to play God with your friend or spouse or co-worker? How have you tried to be the lawgiver? Think of preferences that you have tried to make into God’s law? Find an area or two that you can repent of by telling God and the person to whom you’ve “laid down the law.” You will never go wrong by recognizing God as God and allowing him (as if he needs to be allowed!) to be the “I am” in your life.
Prayer
God, I acknowledge you as the “I am.” That makes me the “I am not.” Please forgive me for playing God and help me to walk in humility…. (Continue praying.)
We would like to thank Peacemaker Ministries for providing this plan.
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