i “yam” or i am?
“By God’s favor I am what I am.” —1 Corinthians 15:10
The old cartoon character, Popeye, used to flex his muscles, eat spinach, and say: “I yam what I yam. I’m Popeye, the sailor man.” Popeye was unwittingly quoting the Bible in the first part of this statement. St. Paul also said: “I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10), but he didn’t add: “I’m Paul, the sailor man.” His addition was: “By God’s favor I am what I am.”
Christians base their identity on God’s grace. Our relationship with Jesus, not our job, is the essence of a Christian’s identity. Our self-image is not primarily based on our looks or our muscles, as was Popeye’s. As followers of Christ, we see our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), not as expressions of our ego, pride, and vanity. Christians base their identity on eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His Blood, on receiving Him in Holy Communion (Jn 6:55). Christians are in Christ. We say, “I am what I am,” because Jesus is the great I AM (see Jn 8:58).
Prayer: Father, give me the mind of Christ, not my own mind or the mind of the world (1 Cor 2:16).
Promise: “I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven — because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small.” —Lk 7:47
Praise: Little is known of St. Januarius who died around 305 A.D. However, he is still remembered centuries later because of the martyr’s blood he shed for love of Jesus.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Developing a Deep Personal Relationship with Jesus, listen to, download or order our AV 52-1 or DVD 52 on our website.)
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