The “I Am’s” of Paul
When we think of “I am” statements made in the Bible, no doubt we think of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the “I Am’s” of Jesus, he states that he is the bread of life (John 6:35), the light of the world (8:12), the door of the sheepfold (10:7), the good shepherd (10:11), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way, truth, and life (14:6), and the true vine (15:1). Not only do these “I Am’s” of Jesus equate him with Jehovah (see Exo.3:14), but it also shows our Lord to be a man of action. He did not say “I was,” nor did he say “I will be.” He said “I am.” The church has too many “has-been’s” and too many will-be’s” and not enough “I am’s.” We certainly could learn from Paul’s example regarding his readiness and willingness to work. In the book of Romans, we find the “I Am’s” of Paul. What do these teach us about Paul, and what can we learn that might help us to be more diligent servants of our Lord?
Paul writes, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Rom.1:14). Paul felt an indebtedness to all men from every walk of life. He had come to know the grace of God in the forgiveness of his past sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Tim.1:15), and in being allowed to preach the gospel (Eph.3:8). Paul desired to share the good news with all men, and his life reflects not only that desire, but his willingness to go into all the world with the message of salvation. Would to God that we in the church today felt the same debt of responsibility to the lost! We owe them the right and privilege of hearing the soul-saving gospel! We march under the same orders as did Paul and the other apostles (Mark 16:15). Someone took the time to teach us the gospel. Should we not do the same for the lost around us?
Paul further writes, “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Rom.1:15). Paul’s feeling of indebtedness to the lost did not cause him to despair at the magnitude of the task. He prepared himself to meet the responsibility he had to every soul he met. He was ready to preach. He was ready to declare the only message that can save the soul (James 1:21). So many times we realize our God-given responsibilities, but we fail to prepare ourselves to meet these challenges. We know we must go into all nations and teach the gospel (Matt.28:19), but are we ready to do so? Let us realize our mission, and prepare ourselves to carry it out!
Paul then writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom.1:16). Some assume that Paul was saved on the road to Damascus, or that he was saved through a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, or various other surmisings. It was only after Paul heard and obeyed the gospel that he was saved, and that process is the same for every soul for all time. Paul was fully convicted of the saving power of the gospel, for he had seen it work in his own life. Until we are fully convinced that the gospel, and the gospel alone, is God’s means of saving man, we will never be ready to convert the lost! The gospel is man’s only hope! If we keep quiet about it, then souls will never have the opportunity to be saved (2 Kings 7:9; 2 Cor.4:3), and we will be lost for refusing the command of our Lord.
Are you faithfully doing the work of the Lord? Don’t say “I was” or “I will be.” Get busy so that you can honestly answer, “I am!”
Patrick Morrison
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