What Is In The Name
A few months ago my wife and I took in her two teenage nephews. Just recently they received brand new suitcases as we are planning a family vacation. The oldest nephew wanting to write his name on his suitcase. He did not write his actual name but instead wrote his first name, wrote my first name for his middle name, and then wrote my family’s last name instead of his actual last name.
This reminded me of the importance behind a name. A name carries identity and reputation. What comes to mind when I say Billy Graham? George Washington? Abraham Lincoln? Or Adolf Hitler? By your knowledge and reputation of the individual, it gives you a good or bad view of each individual.
My oldest nephew who left an old environment, now must transform to fit the new environment. The old self will not work in the new environment and this forces him to change.
Ephesians 4:22-24 New Revised Standard Version
22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The ways of the former were only leading to depression and anger due to how the environment shaped him. Being renewed in the Spirit brings healing. The Words of God bring hope. How should we see our name in light of God?
In the Bible we see God change the name of Abram to Abraham (meaning father of many nations). Sarai to Sarah (meaning princess). Jacob to Israel (meaning one who wrestled with God). Simon to Peter (meaning rock). Saul to Paul (meaning small). It was often those within God's plan of redemption He set apart and the name change signifies this change.
We also see the importance of names when related to God or Jesus. God is called in Hebrew Yahweh ( God is infinite ). Yahweh Shalom (God of peace ). Elohim ( meaning God is creator and all-powerful ). Or in English we see God speaking to Moses call Himself “I Am” (meaning sovereignty). The Alpha and Omega ( the beginning and the end). Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew ( meaning Savior).
God knows you by name and we all must decide what we will be known for. Healing or pain? Peace or anger? Faithful or a cheater? What will you be called when you stand before God? A child of God or child of Satan?
Proverbs 22:1 New International Version
22 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 New International Version
7 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
Having a good reputation should be more desirable than great riches. Reputation is sealed once we die. In celebration of a birth, we often are not challenged within the mind as we are when we mourn a death. Mourning often causes us to face our mortality and question our life. Have we spent enough time doing the things that truly matter like loving our children, grandchildren, or our spouse? What about spending time with God or accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Death has a way of reminding us what Is truly important. What type of legacy will you leave behind? Champion men or women of faith?
Reputation and honor were once intertwined and often protected. Early Americans would even duel to protect their honor. Duel- A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon rules. Can you imagine two of our congressional leaders dueling it out to protect from slander? Crazy times but I bet people at least thought twice before spreading lies. Our Founding Fathers pledged their sacred honor to the Declaration of Independence.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. – Declaration of Independence
Notice the word sacred. Early Americans used honor and reputation interchangeably. Sacred honor held a divine standard based on the morality of God. It was expected to be your very identity at stake. We hear this same sense of understanding in the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, commitment.
They define honor as
Honor- the base of a Marine's character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.
1 Timothy 3:7 New International Version
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Corinthians 15:33 New International Version
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Watch your thoughts because thoughts often materialize into action. Train your thoughts so that your body will be more willing to follow the instructions of the mind. One action can ruin your job, your marriage, your bank account, etc. Watch who you hang around and ask yourself will these people bring me closer to God or pull me away?
So let our names be of those worth remembering like the heroes listed in Hebrews 11. The great heroes of faith. Let us decide today to be men and women of honor.
2 Timothy 2:5 New International Version
5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
Let us run the race of life so that we may gain the crown of everlasting life. The most prized and honorable achievement one can be given. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, accept Him now for our lives are like a vapor. Choose today so that your name will be listed among those who are victorious in the Book of Life. There is nothing more honorable than to be acknowledged before the Father and His angels.
Revelation 3:5 New International Version
5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
A few months ago my wife and I took in her two teenage nephews. Just recently they received brand new suitcases as we are planning a family vacation. The oldest nephew wanting to write his name on his suitcase. He did not write his actual name but instead wrote his first name, wrote my first name for his middle name, and then wrote my family’s last name instead of his actual last name.
This reminded me of the importance behind a name. A name carries identity and reputation. What comes to mind when I say Billy Graham? George Washington? Abraham Lincoln? Or Adolf Hitler? By your knowledge and reputation of the individual, it gives you a good or bad view of each individual.
My oldest nephew who left an old environment, now must transform to fit the new environment. The old self will not work in the new environment and this forces him to change.
Ephesians 4:22-24 New Revised Standard Version
22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The ways of the former were only leading to depression and anger due to how the environment shaped him. Being renewed in the Spirit brings healing. The Words of God bring hope. How should we see our name in light of God?
In the Bible we see God change the name of Abram to Abraham (meaning father of many nations). Sarai to Sarah (meaning princess). Jacob to Israel (meaning one who wrestled with God). Simon to Peter (meaning rock). Saul to Paul (meaning small). It was often those within God's plan of redemption He set apart and the name change signifies this change.
We also see the importance of names when related to God or Jesus. God is called in Hebrew Yahweh ( God is infinite ). Yahweh Shalom (God of peace ). Elohim ( meaning God is creator and all-powerful ). Or in English we see God speaking to Moses call Himself “I Am” (meaning sovereignty). The Alpha and Omega ( the beginning and the end). Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew ( meaning Savior).
God knows you by name and we all must decide what we will be known for. Healing or pain? Peace or anger? Faithful or a cheater? What will you be called when you stand before God? A child of God or child of Satan?
Proverbs 22:1 New International Version
22 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 New International Version
7 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
Having a good reputation should be more desirable than great riches. Reputation is sealed once we die. In celebration of a birth, we often are not challenged within the mind as we are when we mourn a death. Mourning often causes us to face our mortality and question our life. Have we spent enough time doing the things that truly matter like loving our children, grandchildren, or our spouse? What about spending time with God or accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Death has a way of reminding us what Is truly important. What type of legacy will you leave behind? Champion men or women of faith?
Reputation and honor were once intertwined and often protected. Early Americans would even duel to protect their honor. Duel- A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon rules. Can you imagine two of our congressional leaders dueling it out to protect from slander? Crazy times but I bet people at least thought twice before spreading lies. Our Founding Fathers pledged their sacred honor to the Declaration of Independence.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. – Declaration of Independence
Notice the word sacred. Early Americans used honor and reputation interchangeably. Sacred honor held a divine standard based on the morality of God. It was expected to be your very identity at stake. We hear this same sense of understanding in the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, commitment.
They define honor as
Honor- the base of a Marine's character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.
1 Timothy 3:7 New International Version
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Corinthians 15:33 New International Version
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Watch your thoughts because thoughts often materialize into action. Train your thoughts so that your body will be more willing to follow the instructions of the mind. One action can ruin your job, your marriage, your bank account, etc. Watch who you hang around and ask yourself will these people bring me closer to God or pull me away?
So let our names be of those worth remembering like the heroes listed in Hebrews 11. The great heroes of faith. Let us decide today to be men and women of honor.
2 Timothy 2:5 New International Version
5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
Let us run the race of life so that we may gain the crown of everlasting life. The most prized and honorable achievement one can be given. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, accept Him now for our lives are like a vapor. Choose today so that your name will be listed among those who are victorious in the Book of Life. There is nothing more honorable than to be acknowledged before the Father and His angels.
Revelation 3:5 New International Version
5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
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