Who am I and why am I here?”
When is the first time you remember pondering these questions? What conclusion did you come to? Or are you still trying to figure them out?
I don’t have stats on this, but I believe every human asks these questions at some point early on in their lives. And while they are absolutely valid and should be unpacked with care, we seem to leave out the most consequential one of all, “Who is God and why does it matter?”
Perhaps if we answer this question, we can figure out the other ones a little bit easier. But how often do we start with God and who He is before we look inward? This crucial question will often remain untouched because when it comes to human nature, we do not naturally acknowledge God first in anything. This is because we desire to be our own tiny deities that pursue our own desires, ambitions, goals, and dreams apart from Him and without discretion or spiritual discernment.
Romans 1:18-22 tells us that we already know there’s a God, but we suppress this truth about Him in our unrighteousness. And Psalm 14:1 declares, “the fool says in his heart there is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” These scriptures among others tell us that there is a God and we all know it. We are all without excuse. From the affluent CEO to the unreached tribe in the South American jungle; the president, the pilot, the pastor, and the pauper all know. Creation (Psalm 19:1) is the general revelation and evidence of not just any creator that we have created in our image, but the one true living and triune God who has divinely authored the Bible.
So here’s the primary problem: often times we leave out the most important question we should be asking because if we admit that there is a God above us, that means:
- We are not God, little gods, nor can we become gods.
- We must submit to His moral standard and will for our lives instead of our own.
- There are consequences for not submitting to Him
Being natural, self-serving idolaters, we don’t like these truths. More than dislike, we hate the thought of someone being over us and telling us how we are to live. even if that someone:
- is perfect, good, and loving
- has the right to tell us how to live because He created us for Himself;
- Loves, cares for, and knows what’s best for us
- created us to know Him intimately and be in right and loving relationship with Him.
In our arrogance, we still think we know better than Him. But how can we truly know who we are and why we are here without first knowing who created us and why? We can’t.
Out of nothing…
“The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep… And God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was a light. And God saw that the light was good.” - Genesis 1:2-4
The most widely accepted scientific theory about the beginning of the universe is “The Big Bang”. “The Big Bang Theory is the leading explanation about how the universe began. At its simplest, it says the universe as we know it started with a small singularity, then inflated over the next 13.8 billion years to the cosmos that we know today.” (Space.com) But the next obvious question is what caused this random “small singularity” occurrence? And if we are just here by random chance, there’s no true purpose for us as merely evolved stardust and pond scum, right?
God has always existed and is the only being that is not created. He is Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. Not only that, but y’all!!! God created everything from absolutely nothing! He spoke everything - the heavens and the earth; light; the waters; land and vegetation; sea and winged creatures; land animals then man and woman - into existence with His words alone! Who has that power except Him? No. One. He alone has and will always have this power. Creation, human life, and the universe depend on His very words and omnipotence- His unlimited and great power.
When is the last time you ripped some verses out of context to suit your idolatrous fancies and actually spoke anything into existence?
I don’t know the answer to the 1st part, but the answer to the 2nd part is: never.
The Image of God
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’...So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:26-27
Who are we? Not God. And neither is the universe or any other idols we have fabricated in our hearts and minds. Whether they are a significant other, your career, food, material possessions, education, children, ministry, beauty or your body, God hates the worship of anything other than Himself. He is a jealous God and will not share His glory with another. (Isaiah 42:8)
Humans and creation -including the cosmos- are created by God for His glory alone. The difference? God did not make creation in His image like He made you and I. It was made, not to be worshiped, but to point us to and worship Him -the Creator of everything.
Being made in the image and likeness of God doesn’t mean we are little gods or can become gods, but it does mean that we resemble God:
• mentally: we can reason and make decisions (James 1:19; 2 Cor 4:2)
• morally: we have a God-given conscience and know right from wrong (Rom 1:18; 2:15)
• socially: we were made to be with God and in community with other people (Eph 2:10; Acts 2:42-47)
Though we have never been and never will be in the same category with God, every single human was, is, and will be knit together in their mothers’ wombs by His loving hands. We are fashioned with inherent dignity and value and should be treated as such. Whenever there is any kind of mistreatment towards one human by another, God's wrath is kindled. He hates the mistreatment of all image bearers; from unkind and harsh words/actions to abortion; other forms of murder, abuse, assault, and neglect; human trafficking, colonization, racism, and police brutality. He hates it all because He loves His image bearers.
Purpose in life
”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10
Why does this matter?
Because there is one perfectly righteous creator who made us in His image and for His glory, that means that we are to live in a way that pleases and honors Him. In his lovingkindness and mercy he wants His creation to flourish and be stewarded in ways that bring glory to Him and good to it. But more importantly, God wants His image bearers to know Him and live in a right and loving relationship with Him; to be redeemed from their sins by Jesus the Messiah and filled with Holy Spirit who guides us in righteousness and convicts us of sin.
Since we are specially and intentionally crafted with His own hands and for His glory, we exist to glorify Him with our gifts, talents, skills; to tell others about Him so that they may have eternal life in Christ.
REFLECT & APPLY:
•When did you first ask these questions about who you were and why you were here?
•When did you first realize who God truly was? How did that change your life and outlook on life?
• Do you know what your purpose in life is? What gifts talents and skills has God given you to use for His glory?
