The Names of God: Part 5

In a world that often feels chaotic, divided, and filled with pressure to choose sides, many of us find ourselves longing for a place to hide. We may feel pushed to dislike those who think or look differently, to panic in the face of global events, or to lose hope altogether. As we witness conflicts overseas, protests in our streets, and wars fought over religion, it's natural to ask: How should we respond? What does God say about all of this?

While we can't address every nuance of our complex world in a single conversation, we can recenter ourselves on the way of Jesus. We can live by the truth of the gospel and orient our lives around the name above all names - the great "I Am."

In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks God who he should say sent him to free the Israelites, God replies simply: "I am who I am." This profound statement reveals God as being itself - not defined by anyone or anything, not a label or a tool to be used, but always present, free, active, and faithful.

This name, "I Am," changes everything about how we live in our world of shifting values and constant upheaval. It grounds us and serves as an anchor in a divided and chaotic reality. If God is the great "I Am," then we are not. We can't control everything, save everything, or do everything. But we also aren't victims of history - we serve the One who authors history.

Jesus, in the Gospel of John, further emphasizes this divine identity with seven metaphorical "I am" statements:

1. I am the bread
2. I am the light
3. I am the gate
4. I am the shepherd
5. I am the resurrection
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life
7. I am the vine

These statements, along with absolute declarations like "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58), reveal Jesus as God incarnate - the eternal "I Am" in human form.

Because the "I Am" is unchanging and sovereign, we have the freedom to live differently. We don't have to fight for power or fear the future. Instead, we're free to walk a different way - the way of the gospel, grounded in sacrifice, peace, and holy courage.

This brings us to two important theological concepts that can guide our response to the challenges of our time: the "Third Way" (or Jesus Way) and Just War Theory.

The Third Way: Love Your Enemies and Win Without Fighting

The Third Way resists both the temptation to mirror the culture's hostility and the tendency to retreat into silence or isolation. It's a path that engages the world with truth and grace, never avoiding confrontation but dealing with it differently than the world expects.

This approach is rooted in the belief that God is present, sovereign, and "with us" (Emmanuel). It offers freedom from the world's violent and cultural cycles, attempting to make war unnecessary altogether.

Just War Theory: If We Must Fight, Fight Justly

While the Third Way seeks to avoid conflict, Just War Theory provides an ethical framework for situations where conflict may be unavoidable. Developed by early Christian theologians like Augustine and Aquinas, it holds that while all war is tragic, it might be morally justified to defend innocent lives or stop grave injustices.

Just War Theory sets strict criteria for a war to be considered just:

1. Declared by a legitimate authority
2. Used as a last resort
3. Have a just cause
4. Use proportional force
5. Seek to protect citizens

Both the Third Way and Just War Theory remind us that our ultimate allegiance is to the "I Am," not to political sides or cultural divisions.

As we navigate our complex world, we can find comfort and guidance in the various names of God:

1. Shepherd: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, shows us a way that is neither passive nor aggressive, but sacrificial. He transforms hearts and heals communities.

2. High Priest: Jesus stands in the gap between humanity and divinity, interceding and advocating on our behalf.

3. Hiding Place: God is not an escape hatch, but a refuge where we can be restored to reenter the world with renewed strength to love, listen, hope, and act.

4. Holy One: God's holiness is not about distance, but purpose. He calls us to be set apart, full of grace and truth, rooted in mercy and conviction.

5. Emmanuel: God with us, present in our struggles and triumphs.

In a culture that often demands we choose sides, fight, flee, condemn, or conform, Jesus offers a better way. We're called to engage the world with truth and grace, never avoiding confrontation but dealing with it in a manner that reflects Christ's love.

This approach challenges us to check our allegiances. Are we lifting up human-made sides, causes, or platforms? Or are we lifting up the name of the "I Am"? If we find ourselves unable to set aside our political or social identities, it may be time for some soul-searching.

The great "I Am" is big enough to encompass all our concerns and struggles. He is the good shepherd who lays down his life for us, the high priest who intercedes for us, the hiding place where we are restored, and the holy one who calls us to be different and set apart.

As we face the challenges of our time, let's commit to walking as Christ walked - not on the left or the right, not in retreat, but in the way of truth and grace. Let's be present in our world, replacing power struggles with loving engagement. And above all, let's hold fast to the belief that He is the name above all names, the great "I Am" who leads us forward in love, mercy, and justice.

In doing so, we may find that we can navigate even the most turbulent waters with a peace that surpasses understanding, grounded in the unchanging nature of our eternal God.