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SO WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

by Dr. Henderson Ward  
3/18/2015 / Christian Living

Your name should matter to you, even if people are not enamoured by it, because your parents gave you that name as an identification through an act of love. If you are normal, and by that I mean if you have not allowed the world to invade your mind and pollute your name, then you should feel that your name is as good as or better than any name on earth.

Some names parents just do not give their children, because a name have connotations, and good parents do not want to bedevil their children with inappropriate names. Can you imagine parents naming their girl child Jezebel, Naomi or Desdemona or their boy child Adolf, Judas or Attila? No, neither can I.

Your name should not define who you are, it should not be an indication as to whether you are good or bad (after all you are not in any way responsible for your name) but try telling that to a boy whose parents named him Lucifer.

The Bible tells us much about names especially the name of the Lord. In Strong's exhaustive concordance of the Bible the word "name" is mentioned 928 times; and "names" a further 97 times.

In the Old Testament, nearly every time the word "name" is used in connection with God it refers to his proper designation or title nut they were times when a name meant much more than that.

For example King Solomon says this, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1)

Here "name" is not just your moniker or title but a lot more; it is who you are, it is your true self, it is your reputation, it is your character and you can mould it.

But because it is the real you, the redeemed you, the saved, sanctified you, then the world will try to besmirched that reputation and dirty your name. To be Christian is to be subject to the vilification, privately or publicly, of unsaved humanity that seeks to defeat you by any means possible.

Christians must know, and do know this, that the world is no friend of God and everything godly, clean and wholesome will suffer the unholy wrath of the ungodly.

Watch out, and be extremely cautious, if the world extols you with honours and plaudits and bestows on you much love and favour. Jesus tells us, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, AND CAST OUT YOUR NAME AS EVIL, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:22-23)

Why did Jesus say that when the world CAST OUT YOUR NAME AS EVIL, you are blessed, and you should rejoice? Because Jesus was the greatest example of a blessed person whose reputation was ferociously attacked in an attempt to tarnish it, and he knew that if they did it to him they would also do it to you.

Here are some of the atrocious attacks and evil things they said about Jesus Christ:

1. They said he cast out demons by the prince of demons Matthew 9:34.
2. They called him Beelzebul Matthew 10:25.
3. They said Jesus was a glutton Matthew 11: 18 19.
4. They said he was a wine-bibber Matthew 11: 18 19.
5. They said he violated the sabbath Matthew 12:2.
6. They said he transgressed the tradition of the elders Matthew 15:2.
7. They referred to him as a deceiver Matthew 27:63.
8. They said he is beside himself Mark 3:21.
9. They said he had an unclean spirit Mark 3:30.
10. They said that since Elijah had not risen from the dead, it was impossible for Jesus to be the Christ Mark 9:11.
11. They accused him of friendship with publicans and sinners Luke 15:2.
12. They said he forbade to give tribute to Caesar Luke 23:2.
13. They said that he made himself a king Luke 23:2.
14. They said he had a demon John 7:20.
15. They said that no prophet could come out of Galilee John 7:52.
16. They said he was a Samaritan John 8:48.
17. They said, he is not from God John 9:16.
18. They called him a sinner John 9:24.
19. They said he was an evildoer John 18:30.

These are the things they said about the sinless one of God, and they pressed home their attacks to the point where they had the crowd baying for the blood of Jesus; which they duly got when he was savagely crucified.

If they did it to Jesus, then do not be taken by surprise if they do it to you.

No believer should walk the earth looking for trouble, go around messing up people for the sake of controversy and censure, rather to take the advice of Paul, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18)

It is necessary to remember that the world is at enmity with Christ, and hence with us, and although superficially they may not be hostile, yet deep down there is a simmering resentment for all that we stand for and represent.

The Jews of antiquity and the children of Satan have no respect for the character and reputation of Jesus Christ, but that is alright because the most important person in the universe has made a declaration that is true and awesome: "...and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

You can be sure that whatever people may call you, it is God only who truly knows you. For some, who suffer for God daily, and in silence, this is comforting and ultimately rewarding. For others who pretend and do not commit to God's will, this is upsetting, and futile, for God knows you better than you know yourself.

David was right when he said, "O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me." (Psalm 139:1)

God searched Israel and knew their name: "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

Jesus calls by name and guides all that are truly his: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

So, are you onboard; and what's your name?

Enough said.

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Dr. Henderson Ward received his Doctor of Divinity in theology, with distinction, from Masters International School of Divinity, USA, where he is currently a post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Ward's career involved pastoring, evangelism, and teaching. Copyright 2017

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