The Name of Chirst

 In modern society, we pay little attention to names. But the ancient world held a man's name to be of utmost importance. Often, during Old Testament days, God changed a person's name because of some important experience or some new development.

As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. The word Christian is found only three times in the entire New Testament (Acts 11:26;26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). The name was given originally as a term of contempt, but gradually it became a name of honor. The name Christ, then, means identification: we belong to Jesus Christ.

But His name also means authority. A man's name signed to a check authorizes the withdrawal of money from the bank. The President's name signed to a bill makes it into law. In the same way, it is in the name of JEsus Christ that we have the authority to pray (John 14:13-14; 16:23-26). Because Jesus Christ is God, and He has died for us, we have authority in His name.

All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. If we oermit anything into our  lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.

Excerpt from Be Complete How to Become the Whole Person God Intends You to Be, Written by Warren W. Wiersbe, 1981.