We have all known people who like to drop names of powerful and influential people. The world will drop everything to meet a celebrity who might be passing through town. Many people will use their connections to powerful people to control and put down their coworkers, neighbors and friends. A police officer, who makes a traffic stop, of the commissioner’s friend; will probably think twice before issuing a citation. We see the power that a name can command; its use and abuse. Name droppers are not too favorably viewed by society. There is a phoniness about such people, because they didn’t earn the right to the influence of the name. They are looking for a free ride on the coattails of another.
But there is one name that commands respect and holds all of the power that exists in heaven and on earth. Those who drop it; need to be sincere and all who use it need to be genuine believers and followers of the name. To take this name in vain has a huge penalty. That name is the name above all names; Jesus. True believers have developed strong faith in the name and have a fearful respect of its power.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
True Christians know their identity; they know that they have an awesome future awaiting them in Christ for all eternity. We are heirs in Christ, a royal priesthood.
“And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
The name, Jesus, that we carry as a banner is the name that lives inside of us. We are a new creature in him; born of water and of spirit.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5)
The world lives a counterfeit existence under the great deceiver, their god; the devil. They have no future until they embrace the name of Jesus with all of their heart. We have such an awesome calling in Jesus Christ. We have an eternal future in paradise.
Prayer: Jesus our Lord. All praise, honor and glory are to you and your name alone! I worship you with all of my heart, life and being. I belong to you and am here to share the glorious hope of the Gospel. Lead me to what you are blessing. Let me live within your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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