My daughter got married a few months ago, and she texted me this week about needing to change her last name. The process made her reflect on her identity and what our last name has meant to her over the years. It’s heartwarming to hear your kids appreciate what their name has meant to them and how being a part of the family has deeply shaped their identity. The Scriptures tell us that a good name, synonymous with our reputation, is established by a life lived for the glory of God and for the love of our neighbor. It is more valuable than great riches and better than precious ointment. (Proverbs 22:1, Ecclesiastes 7:1)
In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet pondered the importance of a name versus a person’s character, deducing that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. As Juliet found out, a name can have significant power in this world, whether for good or evil. Just take the name Goliath. It made the entire Israelite army terrified, except David. He was appalled that a mere man would mock the one true God. He knew the power of a greater name, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand.”
In Philippians 2:9–10, God blesses Jesus with the name above every name because of his sacrificial life and death for his people.
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is that we are united together in the name of Christ. Because his name is upon us, we are declared righteous, forgiven, adopted as precious sons and daughters, and given an eternal inheritance. What a joy it is to bear this name! So instead of trying to make a great name for yourself, come under the banner of his name and live a life to bring glory to his name alone. In doing so, you will gain a good name for yourself that will last for generations.
Watershed Fellowship
711 East Main Street Suite S, Lexington
Coffee at 10am, Service at 10:30am