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The ‘I Am’s’ of Paul – Part 1

Posted on July 29, 2019 by lifejourneycf.net

We know Jesus had a series of ‘I am’s’ such as “I am the Door”, “I am the Good Shepherd” and “I am the Way the Truth and the Life”. In fact the greatest declaration of Jesus was His declaration of Deity, “before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). The majority of Christ’s ‘I Am’s’ are found in John’s Gospel.

Paul, too has some ‘I am’s’. Whereas Jesus’ words are a declaration of His Deity, Paul’s are one’s of servitude. These are found in Romans Chapter One. He says in Romans 1:14 ESV “I am under obligation”. The NKJV says, “I am a debtor…”. Jesus was neither of those. He is God. Paul, on the other hand often begins his letters with he being a ‘servant of Christ’. What is interesting, though, Jesus lived as a servant … He was prophesied a servant in Isaiah (see chapters 49-53). Christ revealed His Deity through His servant’s heart. His words of kindness … His acts of mercy … His acceptance of sinners … all prove a heart of a servant. Remember when He washed the disciple’s feet in the Upper Room? The act of a servant!

So Paul reflects the heart of the Savior by declaring he is the ‘servant of Christ’ (Romans 1:1a) and then expanding that in v14 “I am a debtor” … “I am under obligation”. In the previous verses he gives two indicators of his first ‘I am’ statement. In v9 he says, “without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers”. Paul saw PRAYER AS PRIMARY! My good pastor friend with whom I served alongside here in Osceola county Florida said something about prayer that has stuck with me. He called it P.U.S.H. “Pray Until Something Happens!” (Pastor Pete Robertson). Paul saw prayer as a necessity … not just a thing-to-do-to-look-spiritual. Often, Paul labored in prayer. Oh, does that sound familiar? Who do we see deep in prayer in the garden sweating drops of blood the night before His being convicted and crucified? He also says in v11 that he wished to “impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you”. We can’t go into great detail about gifts here today, but gifts were given to the church not to prove one’s spirituality but to edify and encourage the Body of Christ (the people of God, the Church, Christ-Followers). Imparting some spiritual gift like, teaching God’s Word or building greater faith and trust, or exercising words of exhortation were done to build up and edify the church. It is after these two indicators he says, “I am under obligation”. PRAYER and EDIFICATION was his obligation. And he says it … he is under obligation (responsibility, duty, commitment) “… both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish” (v14b ESV).

We aren’t apostles but we servants of Christ – not in the Paul sense – but to be God’s servants in this world … to PRAY always for all and to EDIFY others. We can even feel obligated as Paul did to do this within our spheres of influence! Lets join together to do so and see God change our world one person at a time. Let’s Love God, Love Others and Make Disciples TOGETHER!

Part 2 coming next time! Check it out!

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