Today we looked at our identity as people who are known by name and called by God. (Is 43:1) Names are a key way of identifying people even nowadays, and in the Bible, names were often very significant. The fact that God created and formed us (see also Ps 139) gives us worth and value; not only are we given a new name by Him (Rev 2:17), we gain access to the family name (God’s own name) through our new birth into His family.
Many characters in the Bible had name changes that reflected their encounters with and the promises of God. Abram (‘exalted father’) became Abraham (‘father of many nations‘), seeing the promises of God to him fulfilled through the miraculous birth of Isaac. Jacob, the wily deceiver, became Israel after his night-time wrestling match with God (Gen 32). Simon became Peter (the rock); Saul became Paul. Our lives are transformed by God’s presence and we are given new purpose and hope.
Our new identity as God’s people is to be called by God’s name. The name of Jesus, as those first disciples knew, was powerful. They prayed ‘in the name of Jesus’:Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ (Acts 4:30) They proclaimed healing in the name of Jesus: ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ (Acts 3:6) When Peter went on to explain to the crowds what had happened to this lame man who was now jumping and praising God, he said, ‘By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.’ (Acts 3:16) Baptism was in the name of Jesus. (Acts 10:48) Church governance and judgments were made in the name of Jesus. (1 Cor 5:3) Praising and thanksgiving were done in the name of Jesus. (Eph 5:20) Paul recognised that the name of Jesus had power in all spiritual realms and declared ‘that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Phil 2:10) We are no longer bound to our old name, to our old way of living, to the sin life that used to dominate us. We are God’s new creation (2 Cor 5:17); we have God’s nature now living in us by His Holy Spirit. (Rom 6:1-13)
The characteristic of all who are called by name is to trust God and have faith in Him. This is seen clearly in Genesis 22, when God puts Abraham to the test in asking him to sacrifice his son of promise. If Isaac were killed, how could Abraham be the father of many nations? But by faith, he trusted God to answer that question and solve the problem, which God did, through the provision of a ram. We are called to have the same trusting faith as Abraham and to live out our new family name everywhere we go.