"Before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58)
This statement changed my life back in 1962. I was in my second semester of college and had encountered many attacks on my faith, most of which I had never before.
I went back to my dorm room one day, and Jesus took me to John 8. When I read His "claim," His Words that, in effect, say He is "the Eternal One," I accepted His Words, though, my mine could not comprehend---------- nor can yours.
People throughout history have said that Jesus is a "great teacher, great example," or "founder of one of the world's great religions." You cannot read Jesus' many claims and say such things of Jesus if you do not receive, accept, believe, surrender your life to Jesus. No one can say that Jesus is a "great" anything and yet not obey what He says. He is not a "great teacher" if what He says is not true. He is not the "founder of one of the world's great religions," if He makes claims which are not true, claims which are lunacy. Jesus is either, "I AM," or He is not.
I say to those who speak highly of Jesus and the "Christian Religion," yet do not submit to Jesus' Authority in their lives, you are schizophrenic. You cannot speak highly of someone who claims to be God Himself, "....the Word became flesh," and, "Before Abraham was, I AM", and not surrender your lives to Him. Forgive me, World, but it is the ultimate duplicitous stupidity.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for how You changed my life in Your Life-Giving Words. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
