"Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Eph. 4:15-16)
Throughout Ephesians 4 we are called to unity in the body of Christ. But this is not an external unity that can be programmed. Vs. 3 reminds us that it is "The unity of the Holy Spirit." Much of the chapter is devoted to telling us how we as individual members of the body, the church, can maintain the unity of the Spirit. Even though it is a gift from the Holy Spirit, we learn in v. 30 that we can grieve the Holy Spirit and destroy the unity. When there is no unity, God will not manifest His Presence in power and the church will be rendered cripple.
In the verses here, we are told that Christ is the head of the body, and it is in submission to Him that the church functions properly. It occurs to me that the way to maintain unity, which is described in all of this chapter as dealing with our relationships to one another, is to be sure as individual members of the body we are in submission to the Lordship of Christ. If Christ directs moment by moment each of our lives we will not have a problem relating to each other in love. But when we push Christ aside, we become self centered and problems begin. If you are not getting along with someone, look and see if Christ is in charge in your own life first.
Someone said, "It is never all your fault, and it is always some your fault." That is a pretty good reminder of all of our sinful natures and the need to be humble and willing to make corrections to any wrong relationships. It is worth it. When the church body is one, it grows in grace and love. That is what this text promises.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Unity
"Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:3)
It is important to notice in this passage of scripture that Paul writes about "the" unity and not "a" unity. The unity is produced by the Holy Spirit. It is a precious gift and it is a unity that happens inwardly among the members of the church, which Paul describes as the body of Christ. The responsibility that the individuals members of the body have is to "keep the unity" or maintain the unity. It is a word that means to guard diligently.
So how do we do that? Paul says in v. 1, "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." In other words, he says, live up to the name that Christ has given you. Be who He has enabled you to be in the new life He has given to you. Two of the characteristics of that new life are given to us in v. 2, where he says we are to walk in humility and gentleness. Those qualities will equip us to do what he says in the rest of that verse; "making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." (NLT)
Then Paul begins a list of seven "ones" that unite us; "One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all." The mission statement of our church is "Believe, Belong, and Become." I think we do pretty good in comprehending the first and the last part of that. We are called to believe in Christ, and to become like Him. We are living in a time, however, where people spend a lot of time church hopping and church shopping. We have lost sight of the concept of membership. Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 all speak of these same concepts. We are members one of another.
Another metaphor used by Paul is to describe the church as the "bride of Christ." When we fail to make a commitment to the Body of Christ, we spend our lives dating Christ instead of being married to Him. Get connected today. By the way, if you find a perfect church with a perfect pastor, and perfect membership, don't join that church. You will likely mess it up.
It is important to notice in this passage of scripture that Paul writes about "the" unity and not "a" unity. The unity is produced by the Holy Spirit. It is a precious gift and it is a unity that happens inwardly among the members of the church, which Paul describes as the body of Christ. The responsibility that the individuals members of the body have is to "keep the unity" or maintain the unity. It is a word that means to guard diligently.
So how do we do that? Paul says in v. 1, "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." In other words, he says, live up to the name that Christ has given you. Be who He has enabled you to be in the new life He has given to you. Two of the characteristics of that new life are given to us in v. 2, where he says we are to walk in humility and gentleness. Those qualities will equip us to do what he says in the rest of that verse; "making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." (NLT)
Then Paul begins a list of seven "ones" that unite us; "One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all." The mission statement of our church is "Believe, Belong, and Become." I think we do pretty good in comprehending the first and the last part of that. We are called to believe in Christ, and to become like Him. We are living in a time, however, where people spend a lot of time church hopping and church shopping. We have lost sight of the concept of membership. Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 all speak of these same concepts. We are members one of another.
Another metaphor used by Paul is to describe the church as the "bride of Christ." When we fail to make a commitment to the Body of Christ, we spend our lives dating Christ instead of being married to Him. Get connected today. By the way, if you find a perfect church with a perfect pastor, and perfect membership, don't join that church. You will likely mess it up.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I'm Just Saying.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Eph. 4:29)
I find it hard to often quote Mark Twain because he could be such a profane man. Once, however, he said, 'It is not the parts of the Bible that I don't understand that bother me, but rather the parts I do understand." Certainly there are some difficult words in the Scriptures that challenge us in every dimension of our lives.
Perhaps we need to look again at the power of our words. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," just isn't true. Words bring a blessing or a curse to those who hear them. And notice this Word from God in Ephesians that only gives us permission to speak (or for that matter write) words that give grace. It seems to me then we should only speak words that bring glory to God, bring a witness to the lost, or build up another Christian in faith.
And we are instructed to be sure that they bring grace to everyone who hears, not just someone we would speak directly to or about. Satan must jump and dance for joy when God's children speak words that hurt and accuse. When we speak words other than words of grace, we do satan's work for him. God help us speak words that minister grace to everyone.
I find it hard to often quote Mark Twain because he could be such a profane man. Once, however, he said, 'It is not the parts of the Bible that I don't understand that bother me, but rather the parts I do understand." Certainly there are some difficult words in the Scriptures that challenge us in every dimension of our lives.
Perhaps we need to look again at the power of our words. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," just isn't true. Words bring a blessing or a curse to those who hear them. And notice this Word from God in Ephesians that only gives us permission to speak (or for that matter write) words that give grace. It seems to me then we should only speak words that bring glory to God, bring a witness to the lost, or build up another Christian in faith.
And we are instructed to be sure that they bring grace to everyone who hears, not just someone we would speak directly to or about. Satan must jump and dance for joy when God's children speak words that hurt and accuse. When we speak words other than words of grace, we do satan's work for him. God help us speak words that minister grace to everyone.
Friday, October 23, 2009
New Life
Read Colossians 3:1-17
Here is a question: Are you living up to the quality of life that Jesus Christ died on the cross to give you? Many Christians settle for the fact they are going to heaven when they die. But Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life abundantly." (John 10:10). The problem is our old nature, our flesh, and the sins that we have not dealt with. As the old puritan writer John Owens once said, 'You will either be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."
Paul makes a basic assumption at the beginning of this text. That assumption is that the reader is already a follower of Jesus Christ. Because that is true, a person is hidden in Christ, and therefore raised with Him to live a new kind of life.
So Paul says, "Set your hearts on things above." Then he says, "Set your minds on things above."
Your heart is your affection, and your mind is your attention. So set both on Christ. And he says, "Put to death the old patterns of behavior that were yours before Christ." In fact like a suit of clothes, take off the old dirty and ragged clothing for the new clothing in Christ.
Christ died to give you the kind of life that He lived. Are you living beneath your position?
Here is a question: Are you living up to the quality of life that Jesus Christ died on the cross to give you? Many Christians settle for the fact they are going to heaven when they die. But Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life abundantly." (John 10:10). The problem is our old nature, our flesh, and the sins that we have not dealt with. As the old puritan writer John Owens once said, 'You will either be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."
Paul makes a basic assumption at the beginning of this text. That assumption is that the reader is already a follower of Jesus Christ. Because that is true, a person is hidden in Christ, and therefore raised with Him to live a new kind of life.
So Paul says, "Set your hearts on things above." Then he says, "Set your minds on things above."
Your heart is your affection, and your mind is your attention. So set both on Christ. And he says, "Put to death the old patterns of behavior that were yours before Christ." In fact like a suit of clothes, take off the old dirty and ragged clothing for the new clothing in Christ.
Christ died to give you the kind of life that He lived. Are you living beneath your position?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Are You Kidding Me?
"But Annanias answered, 'Lord I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." Acts 9:13-14)
As I was growing up, there was a TV sitcom about a rich white man who adopted to African American children. The oldest was named "Willard" and the younger brother would look at him with a strange look sometimes and say, "What 'chu talkin bout Willard?" When God told Annanias to go and visit Saul who had just had an encounter with Jesus, I can imagine him saying, "What 'chu talkin' bout Lord?"
Saul had consented to Stephen's stoning and had been a part of persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem. Now he was on his way to Damascus to torment the believers there. His reputation had preceded him. Annanias said, "I have heard about him. I am afraid."
God is an incredible God and He delights in transforming some of the most unlikely people, like you and me. We need to see the power of God at work and say, "Praise the Lord" instead of "Are you kidding me?" Is there anything too difficult for God? Can you transform a murderer like Paul into a Missionary? Absolutely. And He can transform dirty sinners like us into delightful saints for His glory.
As I was growing up, there was a TV sitcom about a rich white man who adopted to African American children. The oldest was named "Willard" and the younger brother would look at him with a strange look sometimes and say, "What 'chu talkin bout Willard?" When God told Annanias to go and visit Saul who had just had an encounter with Jesus, I can imagine him saying, "What 'chu talkin' bout Lord?"
Saul had consented to Stephen's stoning and had been a part of persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem. Now he was on his way to Damascus to torment the believers there. His reputation had preceded him. Annanias said, "I have heard about him. I am afraid."
God is an incredible God and He delights in transforming some of the most unlikely people, like you and me. We need to see the power of God at work and say, "Praise the Lord" instead of "Are you kidding me?" Is there anything too difficult for God? Can you transform a murderer like Paul into a Missionary? Absolutely. And He can transform dirty sinners like us into delightful saints for His glory.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Blinding Moment
"Now as he went on his way, he approached Damscus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." (Acts 9:3)
Sometimes I hear people say, 'If I have an experience like Paul, if Jesus appears to me in a blinding light, then I will become a believer. I will follow Christ." That is an admission that there is something that could happen in their life that would produce faith. My challenge to people like that is, just pray. Ask God to make Himself known to you in a convincing manner.God is creative and it seems to me in the Bible He appears to each person in a way that is unique to them. To the woman at the well He spoke of living water; to Nicodemus He spoke of being born again; to Simon Peter, it was follow me and I will make you a fisher of men. Jesus may not appear to you in a blinding light, but if you are open to truth He will make Himself known.
Saul had witnessed the death of Stephen. He had seen the peace on his face as he was being stoned. He had heard Stephen declare God's glory. No doubt these thoughts stayed with him in the days to come. And it is not long after that Jesus appears. Amazingly God takes this murderous Pharisee and makes him an apostle of grace. What does God desire to do with you?
Sometimes I hear people say, 'If I have an experience like Paul, if Jesus appears to me in a blinding light, then I will become a believer. I will follow Christ." That is an admission that there is something that could happen in their life that would produce faith. My challenge to people like that is, just pray. Ask God to make Himself known to you in a convincing manner.God is creative and it seems to me in the Bible He appears to each person in a way that is unique to them. To the woman at the well He spoke of living water; to Nicodemus He spoke of being born again; to Simon Peter, it was follow me and I will make you a fisher of men. Jesus may not appear to you in a blinding light, but if you are open to truth He will make Himself known.
Saul had witnessed the death of Stephen. He had seen the peace on his face as he was being stoned. He had heard Stephen declare God's glory. No doubt these thoughts stayed with him in the days to come. And it is not long after that Jesus appears. Amazingly God takes this murderous Pharisee and makes him an apostle of grace. What does God desire to do with you?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Who Does God Choose to Use?
"And Saul approved of his execution." (Acts 8:1)
In the last couple of weeks we have noticed God call and choose to use a man named Abram. He was a pagan in an idolatrous society, but his heart longed for the one true God. And yet we see him as a liar, an adulterer and a man that acts in his own flesh in spite of the promises of God. God uses a sinful broken man.
We have seen God call and use Jacob, who was a liar, a cheat. We see him as a man filled with fear and stubborn. And yet God uses Him as well. We read often about the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Last week we saw God taken stubborn, hard-headed Simon and change him into Peter. He is a man we see constantly up and down and yet always growing. We come away from these and realize that God uses people just like us.
In Acts 1 we are introduced to the man who would be known to us as Paul. He is standing by watching and approving of the execution of Stephen, the first recorded martyr. It is on the road to Damascus to persecute and perhaps even murder christians that Paul comes into contact with the risen Christ. Again, we see God chooses and uses imperfect people like us.
He calls them out of their sin. He transforms them into trophies of grace, and He will do the same with us, if we will let Him. Praise God, He isn't finished with any of us yet.
In the last couple of weeks we have noticed God call and choose to use a man named Abram. He was a pagan in an idolatrous society, but his heart longed for the one true God. And yet we see him as a liar, an adulterer and a man that acts in his own flesh in spite of the promises of God. God uses a sinful broken man.
We have seen God call and use Jacob, who was a liar, a cheat. We see him as a man filled with fear and stubborn. And yet God uses Him as well. We read often about the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Last week we saw God taken stubborn, hard-headed Simon and change him into Peter. He is a man we see constantly up and down and yet always growing. We come away from these and realize that God uses people just like us.
In Acts 1 we are introduced to the man who would be known to us as Paul. He is standing by watching and approving of the execution of Stephen, the first recorded martyr. It is on the road to Damascus to persecute and perhaps even murder christians that Paul comes into contact with the risen Christ. Again, we see God chooses and uses imperfect people like us.
He calls them out of their sin. He transforms them into trophies of grace, and He will do the same with us, if we will let Him. Praise God, He isn't finished with any of us yet.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Now You Are
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18)
There is a play on words in the original language here. The name Peter means "small rock", or pebble. It is a greater "rock" that Jesus speaks of building His church on. It is the recognition that He is the Christ. It is the element of faith that discovers, finally, the truth about Jesus. You recall, in John 1, Jesus had said, "You are Simon, you will be Peter."
That is how Jesus is in our lives. He sees us not so much for who we are, but for who He can make us. And that transformation becomes when we realize who He is and allow Him to be Lord in us. It is not instantaneous, but rather a journey. One of the incredible things is to trace Peter through the New Testament and watch His journey as God changes him. Much like the signs on the side of the road that say, "Under Construction". When we surrender to Christ, for the rest of our journey in this world, we are under construction.
Simon came to represent who he was in the old nature. Peter represents who He is becoming in Christ. And those two natures, the old and new surface from time to time in our observations of this man. He is so much like us. We can take great joy in the fact that if God could use a broken and flawed fisherman like Peter, He can also use us.
There is a play on words in the original language here. The name Peter means "small rock", or pebble. It is a greater "rock" that Jesus speaks of building His church on. It is the recognition that He is the Christ. It is the element of faith that discovers, finally, the truth about Jesus. You recall, in John 1, Jesus had said, "You are Simon, you will be Peter."
That is how Jesus is in our lives. He sees us not so much for who we are, but for who He can make us. And that transformation becomes when we realize who He is and allow Him to be Lord in us. It is not instantaneous, but rather a journey. One of the incredible things is to trace Peter through the New Testament and watch His journey as God changes him. Much like the signs on the side of the road that say, "Under Construction". When we surrender to Christ, for the rest of our journey in this world, we are under construction.
Simon came to represent who he was in the old nature. Peter represents who He is becoming in Christ. And those two natures, the old and new surface from time to time in our observations of this man. He is so much like us. We can take great joy in the fact that if God could use a broken and flawed fisherman like Peter, He can also use us.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What's Your Name?
"'So you are Simon, the Son of John? You shall be called Cephas.'(which means Peter." (John 1:42)
Andrew was there when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew wanted to know more and followed Jesus. Once he was convinced that this was the Messiah, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. In fact, everytime we encounter Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Jesus. When Simon met Jesus for the first time, the Lord declared his future potential.
Who were you as you first met Jesus? All of us are sinners separated from God. But if someone used one word to describe you before you followed Jesus, what would they name you? The amazing thing is that in a moment Jesus unlocked all the potential that God had created in this man Simon. He said, "You will be." I believe that is the Lord's way with every person He encounters. He sees us not so much for what we are, but for what we can become under His transforming power.
As you consider your life, how will you finish the course? If someone were to write a name on your tombstone if life ended today, what would they name you? What would you like for everyone to remember about you? Who has God designed you ultimately to be? Surrender to the potential in God's transforming power in your life today.
Andrew was there when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew wanted to know more and followed Jesus. Once he was convinced that this was the Messiah, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. In fact, everytime we encounter Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Jesus. When Simon met Jesus for the first time, the Lord declared his future potential.
Who were you as you first met Jesus? All of us are sinners separated from God. But if someone used one word to describe you before you followed Jesus, what would they name you? The amazing thing is that in a moment Jesus unlocked all the potential that God had created in this man Simon. He said, "You will be." I believe that is the Lord's way with every person He encounters. He sees us not so much for what we are, but for what we can become under His transforming power.
As you consider your life, how will you finish the course? If someone were to write a name on your tombstone if life ended today, what would they name you? What would you like for everyone to remember about you? Who has God designed you ultimately to be? Surrender to the potential in God's transforming power in your life today.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
"What's Your Back-Up Plan?"
"...with him he took a present for his brother Esau." (Gen. 32:13)
Jacob was headed home, but he was afraid. He had a promise from God for his welfare and safety, but Jacob's men had said, 'Esau is coming and he has 400 men with him.' And the scripture had said, 'Jacob was greatly afraid.' Jacob had tricked his brother out of his birthright, and the Bible records that Esau had promised to kill Jacob.
Jacob had an incredible time of prayer in 32:9-12. But now, just in case God doesn't come through, he puts his own back-up plan in motion. Just in case God cannot handle the situation. So how often do we do the same thing? We come to God in prayer, turn it all over to Him, and then plan out what we will do, 'just in case'.
Are you trusting God with all of your heart? As Prov. 3:5-6 says, Are you doing that without leaning to your own understanding? How often do we affirm in a worship service or in our Quiet Times that we need to lean wholly on God only to turn right around and put our own plan in motion? Maybe we don't think God works fast enough? Maybe we think He is too busy to be bothered with our need?
Sometimes God tells us to make plans. But when He has promised to act and told us to wait on Him, it is simply a lack of faith on our part that we put our own plan in motion. The opposite of faith is most typically expressed as fear. Don't let your fears keep you from trusting God?
Jacob was headed home, but he was afraid. He had a promise from God for his welfare and safety, but Jacob's men had said, 'Esau is coming and he has 400 men with him.' And the scripture had said, 'Jacob was greatly afraid.' Jacob had tricked his brother out of his birthright, and the Bible records that Esau had promised to kill Jacob.
Jacob had an incredible time of prayer in 32:9-12. But now, just in case God doesn't come through, he puts his own back-up plan in motion. Just in case God cannot handle the situation. So how often do we do the same thing? We come to God in prayer, turn it all over to Him, and then plan out what we will do, 'just in case'.
Are you trusting God with all of your heart? As Prov. 3:5-6 says, Are you doing that without leaning to your own understanding? How often do we affirm in a worship service or in our Quiet Times that we need to lean wholly on God only to turn right around and put our own plan in motion? Maybe we don't think God works fast enough? Maybe we think He is too busy to be bothered with our need?
Sometimes God tells us to make plans. But when He has promised to act and told us to wait on Him, it is simply a lack of faith on our part that we put our own plan in motion. The opposite of faith is most typically expressed as fear. Don't let your fears keep you from trusting God?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Do you need God again?
"God appeared to Jacob again." (Gen. 35:9)
Jacob had come to a time in his life when he needed his fire rekindled, his faith rejuvenated, and his family reclaimed for God. Every person's spiritual life is like a hinge. It can get rusty if you do not keep it well oiled. Oil in the Bible is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit. To keep our spiritual life well oiled, we need to be diligent to seek God's Presence.
In Genesis 35 God tells Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where he had first really encountered the God of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham. "Bethel" means "house of God." Geographically, the place that Jacob had named "Bethel" was a place of spiritual awakening for him. And God tells Jacob to dwell there. (35:1)
What was necessary for Jacob is necessary in our lives. We need to dwell in the place where God is. We need to be sure that every day we encounter God in our lives by taking time in devotion to seek His Presence. Sometimes because everything is going well in our lives, we ignore God. We don't get up one day and say, "I will walk away from God today." Instead, we get in a hurry one day and we skip our Quiet Time with God, and soon it becomes regular for us to miss. And gradually we drift away from God.
Could it be today you need God again? Do you need to rekindle the devotional fire? Do you long for the fresh oil of God's Spirit? Maybe it is time to return to "Bethel".
Jacob had come to a time in his life when he needed his fire rekindled, his faith rejuvenated, and his family reclaimed for God. Every person's spiritual life is like a hinge. It can get rusty if you do not keep it well oiled. Oil in the Bible is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit. To keep our spiritual life well oiled, we need to be diligent to seek God's Presence.
In Genesis 35 God tells Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where he had first really encountered the God of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham. "Bethel" means "house of God." Geographically, the place that Jacob had named "Bethel" was a place of spiritual awakening for him. And God tells Jacob to dwell there. (35:1)
What was necessary for Jacob is necessary in our lives. We need to dwell in the place where God is. We need to be sure that every day we encounter God in our lives by taking time in devotion to seek His Presence. Sometimes because everything is going well in our lives, we ignore God. We don't get up one day and say, "I will walk away from God today." Instead, we get in a hurry one day and we skip our Quiet Time with God, and soon it becomes regular for us to miss. And gradually we drift away from God.
Could it be today you need God again? Do you need to rekindle the devotional fire? Do you long for the fresh oil of God's Spirit? Maybe it is time to return to "Bethel".
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
"What's in a Name? A Lot.
"And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." (Gen. 35:18)
Fast forward in Jacob's life to the death of his wife Rachel. There was no one on earth that Jacob loved more than Rachel. You remember when her father had tricked him by giving him her older sister Leah after seven years of servitude to him, he willingly worked seven more for Rachel. He dearly loved her. And her dying request was that their son be named "Ben-oni", but Jacob refused. What in the world would cause Jacob to deny his beloved's dying request?
Could it be that Jacob well understood the power of a name? He had probably fought often during his childhood as others made fun of his name. He was called "a cheat". Look at his life and notice how many times he had lived up to that name. Tricking his brother out of his birthright. Tricking his father to bless him instead of Esau.
Ben-oni means 'son of my sorrow' and Jacob well knew the power of the name and did not want his son growing up under that label. So instead he named him "Benjamin" which means 'son of the right hand," a far nobler name.
Sometimes we say, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.' But that is simply not true. Words have in them the power of life and death the writer of Proverbs declared. So what is in a name? The power to determine a life. When a person takes the name Christian because they choose to follow Jesus, we should understand the power of that name. It is the name above every other name, the Bible says. If it is genuine and real faith, the power of the name Christian is the power of a transformed life.
Fast forward in Jacob's life to the death of his wife Rachel. There was no one on earth that Jacob loved more than Rachel. You remember when her father had tricked him by giving him her older sister Leah after seven years of servitude to him, he willingly worked seven more for Rachel. He dearly loved her. And her dying request was that their son be named "Ben-oni", but Jacob refused. What in the world would cause Jacob to deny his beloved's dying request?
Could it be that Jacob well understood the power of a name? He had probably fought often during his childhood as others made fun of his name. He was called "a cheat". Look at his life and notice how many times he had lived up to that name. Tricking his brother out of his birthright. Tricking his father to bless him instead of Esau.
Ben-oni means 'son of my sorrow' and Jacob well knew the power of the name and did not want his son growing up under that label. So instead he named him "Benjamin" which means 'son of the right hand," a far nobler name.
Sometimes we say, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.' But that is simply not true. Words have in them the power of life and death the writer of Proverbs declared. So what is in a name? The power to determine a life. When a person takes the name Christian because they choose to follow Jesus, we should understand the power of that name. It is the name above every other name, the Bible says. If it is genuine and real faith, the power of the name Christian is the power of a transformed life.
Monday, October 5, 2009
What's in a Name?
"When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb." (Gen. 25:24)
Isaac and Rebekah's first children were Esau and Jacob. As you remember, Esau was born first, but as he came out, his twin brother was holding onto his heel. They named the second born, Jacob, which means "he cheats". All through his early years Jacob struggled with his name, a cheater, a supplanter, a trickster. I wonder how many people live their lives under a label that shapes them to be what they become.
So what is in a name? Chances are you never considered naming your daughter, Jezebel, or your son, Judas. It is amazing how a name conjures up certain images. If I say, "Bill Gates" you think, money. If I say, "Mel Gibson" you think actor. If I say, "Adolph Hitler" you think, evil. If I say, "Albert Einstein" you think genius. Just a name, but it conjures up certain images.
The first encounter we see of Jacob and Esau is as young men, Esau comes in from hunting famished. Jacob is cooking a pot of stew, and he tricks his brother into selling his birthright. Living up to his name from the start. What is your name? What does it mean?
Do you bear the name "Christian"? What does that mean? As the people of the world around you see you, and know that you testify of knowing Christ, can they see the resemblance between Him and you?
Isaac and Rebekah's first children were Esau and Jacob. As you remember, Esau was born first, but as he came out, his twin brother was holding onto his heel. They named the second born, Jacob, which means "he cheats". All through his early years Jacob struggled with his name, a cheater, a supplanter, a trickster. I wonder how many people live their lives under a label that shapes them to be what they become.
So what is in a name? Chances are you never considered naming your daughter, Jezebel, or your son, Judas. It is amazing how a name conjures up certain images. If I say, "Bill Gates" you think, money. If I say, "Mel Gibson" you think actor. If I say, "Adolph Hitler" you think, evil. If I say, "Albert Einstein" you think genius. Just a name, but it conjures up certain images.
The first encounter we see of Jacob and Esau is as young men, Esau comes in from hunting famished. Jacob is cooking a pot of stew, and he tricks his brother into selling his birthright. Living up to his name from the start. What is your name? What does it mean?
Do you bear the name "Christian"? What does that mean? As the people of the world around you see you, and know that you testify of knowing Christ, can they see the resemblance between Him and you?
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