WHO ARE YOU?? - by Raymond Idoko

Exodus 3:14 "| Am that I Am" Reveals God's nature and being. Everytime we introduce Ourselves we start with IAm (we start with God)<<<<««««|AM ONOJA >>>>>God said to Moses, "I AM WHO IAM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.Exodus 3:14 is one of the most pivotal moments in Scripture, where God reveals His eternal name and nature to Moses at the burning bush. When Moses asks for God’s name, the response is profound: "I AM WHO I AM."This declaration is not just a name but a revelation of God’s self-existence, sovereignty, and unchanging faithfulness. Additionally, this passage carries deep implications for human identity, as every time we say "I am," we echo the very nature of God, our Creator. 1. The Meaning of "I AM WHO I AM" (Yahweh)A. Divine Self-ExistenceThe Hebrew phrase "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh" (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה) can be translated as: "I AM WHO I AM" (present, unchanging reality) "I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE" (future, active faithfulness) This name signifies that God is: Uncaused and Eternal– Unlike created beings, God has no origin; He simply is (Psalm 90:2). Self-Sufficient– He depends on nothing, while all creation depends on Him (Acts 17:25). Unchanging– His nature, promises, and character remain constant (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). B. The Sacred Name YahwehGod instructs Moses to tell Israel: "I AM has sent me to you." This name, Yahweh (יהוה), appears over 6,800 times in the Old Testament, emphasizing: Covenant Relationship– He is the God who personally rescues and keeps His promises (Exodus 6:6-8). Presence & Power– He is not a distant deity but the ever-present "I AM" who acts in history. C. Jesus’ Claim as the "I AM"In John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was, I AM," directly invoking Exodus 3:14. This was a bold claim to divinity, leading the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy (John 8:59). Other "I AM" statements in John’s Gospel (e.g., "I am the Bread of Life," "I am the Resurrection") further confirm His divine identity. 2. "I AM" and Human IdentityA. Human Existence Rooted in GodEvery time we introduce ourselves ("I am [name]"), we unknowingly reflect God’s self-declaration. This is because: We derive our being from Him (Acts 17:28 – "In Him we live and move and have our being"). We are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), meaning our identity is intrinsically tied to Him. B. The Power of "I Am" DeclarationsOur words shape our reality (Proverbs 18:21). When we say: "I am weak"– We align with limitation. "I am strong in Christ" (Philippians 4:13) – We affirm God’s truth. Believers must guard their "I am" statements, ensuring they reflect God’s Word rather than worldly or self-defeating perspectives. C. "I AM ONOJA" – A Personal ReflectionMy name, "Onoja,"carries cultural and personal significance. When I say "I AM ONOJA," I am: Acknowledging God as my source.Declaring my purpose in Him.Walking in the authority of being His creation.3. Theological and Practical ImplicationsA. Worshiping the Eternal GodUnderstanding "I AM WHO I AM"leads us to: Worship Him as self-existent, not manufactured by human ideas.Trust His unchanging nature in an unstable world. B. Living in God-Defined IdentitySince our "I am" stems from His "I AM," we must: Reject false identities (shame, fear, sin labels). Embrace who God says we are (redeemed, chosen, loved). C. The Authority in Speaking Truth Just as God’s "I AM" brings creation into being (Genesis 1), our words have power. We must: Speak life (Ephesians 4:29). Declare Scripture’s promises over ourselves.ConclusionExodus 3:14 is far more than a name—it is the foundation of all existence. God, the "I AM," is the uncaused Cause, the eternal Creator, and the faithful Redeemer. Every human "I am" finds its origin in Him, meaning our identity, purpose, and words must align with His truth. When I say "I AM ONOJA," remember: I am a living reflection of the Great I AM. I Walk in that truth, speak in that authority, and live in the fullness of who He created me to be and that is on PERIOD!!!