Dwelling in the “I AM” In Christ

Dwelling in the “I AM” In Christ –  The Illusion of Separation: Remembering Who We Are

The Christian life is a journey of awakening, a process of remembering who we truly are in Christ. We are not isolated individuals struggling against a hostile world, but we are nonetheless, through the redemptive work of the Cross, intimately connected to the “I AM” that is the source of all being. This term “in Christ” appears 552 times in 224 verses of scripture. There are profound implications for us in this simple phrase – that Christ is in us and we are in Christ. This fundamental truth, though often veiled by the distractions of daily life, is the key to unlocking a life of true freedom and abundance.

[Rom 8:2 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

So often, we navigate the world feeling disconnected and burdened by anxieties, fears, and perceived limitations. We struggle with sickness, poverty, and a sense of lack, believing these to be inescapable realities. We pray for blessings and fear curses, living in a world of duality where good and evil seem to be constantly at war.

But the Gospel speaks a different truth. It tells us that this world of struggle is not the ultimate reality. It’s a collective illusion that we have bought into as a result of the fall. In the original transgression, men’s eyes were open to an environment estranged from God’s presence, closed to the oneness the Father intended in the beginning, and made available again in Christ. We have forgotten who we truly are: children of God, heirs to an eternal kingdom, and imbued with the very essence of the divine “I AM.”

As it is written in Galatians 4:6-7: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

The “I AM”: The Presence of God Within

This “I AM” is not some distant, unreachable deity. It’s the very life force that animates us, the divine spark within each of us. When we awaken to this truth, the world begins to appear differently. The fears that once held us captive lose their power. The limitations we believed to be insurmountable begin to dissolve. We realize that we are spirit, soul, and body, complete and perfect in God’s loving gaze.

Psalm 139:13-16 beautifully expresses this truth: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

In the book of Job we find a statement that tells us that Job’s understanding of our very life force was breathed into us when God formed man out of the dust of the earth:

[Gen 2:7 KJV] 7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

[Job 27:3 KJV] 3 All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils;

Awakening to the “I AM”: A Journey of the Heart

In 1 Cor. 15:34, Paul declared that we should “Awake to Righteousness!” This awakening isn’t achieved through rituals or religious practices alone, though all these things have their place. Living in oneness with the Father is a matter of the heart, a deep inner knowing that transcends the intellect. It requires stillness, a quieting of the mind so that we can hear the still, small voice of God whispering within.

As we spend time in prayer and meditation, focusing on the “I AM” presence within, we begin to ascend in consciousness. We move beyond the limitations of the material world and into the realm of divine abundance. We understand that our true supply comes not from external sources but from the infinite love and power of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The Perfection Within: Recognizing Our True Identity in Jesus

This journey of awakening is not about striving for perfection. It’s about recognizing the perfection that already exists within us. We are already holy, righteous, and beloved children of God, as far as God is concerned, just like he told Abraham, “As for Me I have (already) made you a father of many nations…years before Isaac was conceived. The “I AM” within us cleanses us by the shed blood of Calvary from all unrighteousness, not through our efforts, but through the boundless grace of God.

Ephesians 1:4-5: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love,, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

Shining Our Light: Sharing the “I AM” with Others

We must also be mindful of the temptation to try and “save” others. In the early years of ministry, my natural father (also my spiritual father) warned me (as a pastor in this case) not to adopt a “messiah complex.” While our hearts may be filled with compassion for those who are struggling, we cannot force awakening upon anyone. Our role is to shine our light, to live from the “I AM” within, and to trust that our example will inspire others to seek their own truth.

Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Surrender and Trust: Letting Go and Letting God

The Christian life is a journey of surrender. It’s about letting go of the illusion of control and trusting in God’s loving guidance. It’s about relinquishing the need to fix everything and allowing the “I AM” within to work through us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 counsels us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Review and Reflection:

These thoughts call us to move beyond a superficial understanding of Christianity and inquire into the profound truth of our connection to the divine “I AM” afforded us in Christ Jesus through His suffering and death. It reminds us that we are not intended as believers to live separate from God but are children of God, imbued with divine potential. We are called to awaken to this truth, to quiet the noise of the world, and listen to the still, small voice of God within. This journey of awakening is not about striving for perfection but recognizing the perfection that already exists within us through Christ.

Call to Action:

• Spend time in quiet reflection, focusing on the “I AM” presence within.
• Read and meditate on the scripture passages provided.
• Consider how you can shine your light and share the love of Christ with others.
• Practice surrendering your worries and trusting in God’s guidance.