“You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow”
(Isaiah 65:15)
Until about the 12th century, most people had only one name. With the increase in the population, surnames were introduced. They were usually either the result of a man’s occupation, his place of living, or his characteristics. Hence, we have Smith, Miller, Brook, Hill, Short and Longfellow.
Names today give us a heritage which most of us are proud of. But there are other names we often claim, one being “Christian”. If every believer was truly living and acting to fulfill this name, things would be very different. In fact, this name has been so misused and generalized, that many try to reveal exactly what kind of Christian they are: “born again”, “spirit-filled”, etc.
Even though we claim such names, they really mean very little if they are only a title we have given ourselves. What is far more important is to know that name God has given us. We read, “You will be called by a new name.” Elsewhere, the Bible tells us, “For as many as have received Him, to him has He given the right to become a child of God.” We have a new name of “son”, or “child”. This is God’s name for us, the new name He has given, not what we have claimed for ourselves.
This new name is given to all who turn to Christ and personally seek His forgiveness for their sins. In response, God cleanses every spot of sin from that person, making them a new creation. He instills them with the Holy Spirit, makes them His child and gives them a new name, and as a result, they are called “saints”.
What name do you claim for yourself, and who has given it to you? Do you appreciate being a child of God? Make a commitment that you will spend this day being a “follower of Christ” in your thoughts and actions and so glorify He who has called you.