What is in a Name?
Name recognition is big in the eyes of many. It is hard to advance in the political world without it. Many seek it through wealth or physical prowess. For some, it is the mark of success and a great cause of pride. Whatever the driver is, for many, to have a name above others is the aim.
What about you or me?
Inspired by God, Solomon wrote, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). To have a name or reputation above reproach — even though some may despise it – is better than any kind of wealth or notoriety. The character that defines that name is found among those who understand the actual power in it.
The actual power in a name comes from the character developed through the giving of one’s self. Of Christ, Peter said this while addressing the Sanhedrin. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ’s name is above all names on earth and it is defined by His giving, even while being despised by most. His name is associated with the ultimate power of the universe. Through it, demons are cast out and we can be healed both physically and especially spiritually.
Our name is defined by our character too. It is a growth process for us, just as it was for Christ. Speaking of Jesus in His youth, it is written: “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:51–52). He was subject to the authority over Him in the form of His physical parents as well as our Father. In that humbled state, He grew in wisdom and spiritual maturity through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Man behind the name was developing the mind of the ultimate giver. He is our example to follow.
Like Christ, we must be intent on filling our minds with learning to more effectively give of ourselves by means of being sensitively led by the Holy Spirit. The spirit in this world would have our minds go elsewhere. But the Apostle Paul directs us to the good end. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). The media would direct our minds to soak up the political infighting aimed at elevating one name while destroying another. It encourages the hyper competitiveness found in sports among those seeking to be “number one.” Or, it puts the spotlight on the rich and famous Hollywood elites. Paul’s inspired message is to mediate on things that are pleasing in God’s eyes — the giving of one’s self.
The right kind of name recognition, however, does matter greatly. “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:3–4). Those who are growing in wisdom and spiritual maturity are fellow workers with Christ and their names are written in the Book of Life.
That is what is in a name!
Marshall Stiver
