The Bible, especially in the Old Testament, expresses the idea that God « IS » rather than « EXISTS ».
This is manifested in one of the most famous statements:
« I AM WHO I AM » (Exodus 3:14), where God revealed Himself to Moses, expressing Himself in a verbal form that suggests an eternal, absolute existence independent of all else.
This phrase implies that God is not defined by a beginning or an end, but that He is in Himself, outside of time and space.
In the Bible, God is often described as the source of all that exists.
Not only God is, but He is also the One who brought everything into existence.
For example, in the book of John (1:1), it is written: « In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. »
Here, the idea of God goes beyond a simple act of existence; God is the very essence of all things and the ultimate reality.
The idea that « God is » rather than « exists » has profound implications for the Christian faith and for the way believers live their daily lives.
This reality invites us to understand that God is not just a distant entity or an abstract idea, but that He is an active, immediate, and constant presence in our lives.
Here are some implications of this reality:
1. God is a continuous presence:
If God « is, » it means that He is always present, in every place and at every time.
This understanding reminds us that we are never alone.
In our faith, this prompts us to seek a constant relationship with Him, to pray, meditate, and live in His presence, knowing that He is always there, in our daily lives.
2. God’s timelessness and our perspective on life:
God, being beyond time, invites us to adopt a broader perspective on our existence.
Our challenges and struggles may be temporary, but God is eternal.
This helps us to put trials into perspective and find hope, knowing that God works for eternal good, even in our current difficulties.
3. Call to trust and surrender:
By understanding that God “is” and does not need to be proven or limited by our human concepts, we are invited to place our faith in Him.
This reality prompts us to trust in His wisdom and accept His sovereignty, even when we do not understand everything.
God does not act according to our expectations or understanding, but according to His perfect will.
4. A relationship based on being and not on external facts:
If God is, it means that our faith is not based solely on past events or visible evidence, but on the very reality of divine being.
Our relationship with God must be personal and interior, nourished by an intimate communion with the One who is always present and always there for us.
5.The call to spiritual transformation:
Understanding that God « is » implies that His presence must transform us.
If God is a living and immanent reality, this should affect the way we act, think, and live each day.
We are called to reflect this divine presence in our lives, by loving our neighbor, acting justly, cultivating peace, and seeking to live according to divine principles.
In short, the recognition that God « is » rather than simply « exists » transforms our relationship with Him and the way we live.
This calls us to a deeper faith, to a life more conscious of His presence and to a hope that goes beyond the immediate circumstances of our existence.
PRAYER:
Eternal our God, grant us to live a life conscious of your presence in our existence.
It is in the precious name of your son Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.
Apostle Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA