What’s in a Name?
When you are introduced to someone, one of the first things you are told is their name. A name is a word or phrase by which a person is known. It expresses some quality considered characteristic or descriptive of a person. As you get to know a person better, you learn to associate their personality and character to their name.
The Bible places great emphasis on God’s name:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
What is God’s Name and why is it so important to us? Although God has many names, there are three that give us a clear view of His Character.
The first name is LORD.
Psalms 9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
“Lord” is God’s name that speaks to His authority. He is the one who made the rules—and every person has broken them. We stand guilty before the Judge and the sentence is death and hell.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The next name is Jesus.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
“Jesus” is the name that speaks God’s love. God does not want anyone to be a slave to sin and its consequences. He wants to save us from our sins. Jesus left Heaven, to become flesh and dwell among us. He was crucified—shedding His holy blood which is the only acceptable payment for our sin. He took our death.. But He did not stay dead! After three days in a tomb, He arose and is providing mercy for us in Heaven.
Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
His last name is Christ.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
“Christ” is the name that speaks God’s Promise. In the Old Testament, they were to be looking forward to the Promise, in the New Testament, we look back to the Promise. When man sinned, God promised that He would provide a sacrifice to care for the sin problem. The Cross of Christ was necessary in order for God to keep that promise.
Do you realize that you are a sinner and stand guilty before the Lord?
Do you realize that Jesus shed his blood—a high cost—to pay the price to save you from your sin?
Do you want to trust Christ--the Promise that God gives to those who place their faith in him?
Romans 10:9-10 and 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ask God to save you today. Acknowledge your guilt before Him and turn to Him for cleansing from your sin. Acknowledge that there is no way to save yourself in any other name except Jesus—He who shed His blood for you. Realize that religion, good works, or a church’s name will not help you. Trust Christ alone. Receive by faith God’s Promise of life in Christ today.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
If you have trusted in these names of God, you can speak in songs with the Psalmist:
Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
