- John 8:58 (NKJV): “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Jesus identifies Himself with the divine name “I AM,” reflecting His self-awareness and affirming His divinity and eternal existence. Jesus declaring His nature as “I AM” affirms and confirms that Jesus, though the Son of God, is equal to God. John 10:30
“I and the Father are one.” Jesus explicitly states His unity with the Father, indicating equality in essence and nature.
Jesus’ divine nature and equality with God the Father mean that He possesses the same attributes and abilities as God. This is evident in several aspects of His life and ministry on earth:
1. Jesus’ Miracles
Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated His divine power:
- Healing the sick: Jesus healed numerous people, showing His power over illness (e.g., Matthew 8:16-17).
- Raising the dead: He raised Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His authority over life and death (John 11:43-44).
- Control over nature: Jesus calmed a storm, showing His command over the natural world (Mark 4:39).
2. Forgiveness of Sins
Jesus forgave sins, an act that only God can do:
- Mark 2:5-7: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’”
3. Teaching with Authority
Jesus has absolute wisdom and knowledge. He therefore taught with divine authority, often saying, “You have heard that it was said… But I tell you…” (Matthew 5:21-22), indicating His authority to interpret and fulfil the Law.
4. Resurrection and Eternal Life
Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate proof of His divine nature and power over death:
- John 10:17-18: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.”
Implications for Believers
For believers, Jesus’ divine nature and equality with God have deep implications:
- Access to God: Through Jesus, believers have direct access to God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- Empowerment: Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus’ work on earth. Jesus promised, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
- Assurance of Salvation: Jesus’ divinity assures believers of their salvation and eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
- Transformation: Believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Jesus, being equal with God, not only demonstrated divine power and authority during His earthly ministry but also provides believers with a profound connection to God, empowerment for service, assurance of salvation, and ongoing transformation.
Summary: All the verses used in article-1 and article-2, along with many others in the Bible, collectively state that God possesses a unique and perfect awareness of who He is, encompassing His eternal nature, sovereignty, and divinity. They show that God’s self-knowledge is a fundamental aspect of His identity and nature. Because God is self-aware of His eternal nature, sovereignty, and divinity, we can be certain that all His promises over our lives will come to pass. He knows and controls every aspect of our lives as His covenant children. Remember, His promises (His word) are intricately connected to His eternal nature, sovereignty, and divinity.
God bless you.
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer:
- Father, because You have absolute wisdom and perfect self-awareness of who You are, I place my hope in You alone in every circumstance of life, in Jesus Name.
- Holy-Spirit overshadow my life with Your presence and power, in Jesus Name
- Father, give me the grace to display Your character of holiness and love to the world, that my life will win souls for Your Kingdom in Jesus Name
Feast of Light Word Ministry
Resource: God’s incomparable wisdom, self-awareness, and divine self-knowledge (1) – Feast of light
