Name Change

The minute you were born again, God gave you a new name—Christian.

A man in the Army of Alexander the Great who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions. He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was. He replied softly, “Alexander.” “I can't hear you,” the ruler stated. The man again said, a little louder, “Alexander.” The process was repeated one more time, after which Alexander the Great commented, “Either change your name or change your conduct.”

A name is an important thing. In fact, Solomon tells us, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). A good name is far more important than any wealth or possessions.

When I was born, my parents named me after my Granddad Paul. He was a bean farmer who worked hard to provide for his family. He also founded the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Cortez, Colorado, and was a lay pastor there for many years. The name Paul is special in my family because of my granddad, and I am honored to have his name.

So what is your name? I’m not referring to your physical name your parents gave you, but what name do you claim and use often? Many of us assume the name “Christian” with no thought of what it truly means.

When we were born again, God gave us a new name—Christian. That name carries with it great meaning as we see in our verse today, “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The early disciples, the ones who first followed Christ, were named Christians because those around them said they were “little Christs.”

As Christians, we ought to represent the name of Christ well. What if I were to tell you I was a plumber, but when you asked me to fix a leaky faucet, I had no idea what to do? I would not be living up to my name. Even so, when we as Christians do not live for the Lord and honor Him in all we do, the world sees it and knows we are not truly representing the “Christian” name.

Do you closely reflect the Lord in your life? Many people claim the name Christian, but do not live up to that name. I would feel ashamed if I ruined the name my granddad gave me. But even more so, I would be devastated to dishonor the name of Christ. Jesus gave His life to give me that name!

Make sure that wherever you go and in whatever you do, you have a good name. Reflect Christ’s name in your life and others will know you are a follower of God—a “little Christ.”

Source: DITW, January 22, 2009