What’s in a name
What’s in a name?
I was born Richard David Olson. But someone made a mistake and used my father’s middle name, Dale, instead on the birth certificate. My parents didn’t find out until years later and asked that the certificate be corrected, which it was.
Last year Debbie and I applied for passports because we want to travel to Israel in 2022. Debbie’s passport came through just fine. Mine however was held up because my official birth certificate says “amended”. I have to explain why and how it was amended and provide proof that I really am Richard David Olson.
Isaiah 43:1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” God knows my name and he knows your name. He doesn’t need a birth certificate or ID to identify us. He knows us perfectly well, better than we know ourselves.
And God reveals himself to us by his name: Yahweh (or Jehovah), and Jesus. And he invites us to come to know him intimately, as intimately as he knows us.
God also gives us the authority to use his name. “Name” is more than just the bunch of sounds and syllables associated with a person. “Name” also implies authority and reputation. God gives us the privilege to call upon his authority and reputation.
But we are not to use that name in vain. That command means more than just not using God’s name as a swear word. It means don’t misuse that authority that he gives us. Don’t sully God’s reputation by associating his name with thoughts, words and actions that don’t glorify God. Using the name of God or of Jesus is no trivial matter.
In this section Paul talks about using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is to be used in the church when there are serious matters to be addressed. It is to be used when we need the authority of God to stand up to the wicked ways of the world which have a tendency to creep into the church and in our lives.
As we look at the study for this week consider how you have used or neglected to use the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and how you might use it differently.
Pastor Richard