What is in a Name?

Years ago, or so some movies taught, policemen would shout at a fleeing suspect, "Stop in the name of the Law."

How was this supposed to affect the fleeing suspect? He should stop because respects the judicial system?
Or because he would realize the person giving the command had the authority to do so? Probably not!

He might realize Law Enforcement officers had the authority under the Law to use force, lethal force. So it might have been just a polite way of saying "Freeze Sucker."

As we read our Bibles, we see numerous references to the name of God, Christ, Lord, Jesus, or Son of God. We are to "call" on the name of the Lord. We are to believe in the name of the Lord. We are to baptize disciples in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

When we hear the name of the Lord, many things spring to mind, His biography, how He was born, lived, died and rose again. Perhaps His commands and stated instructions He said we are to follow. Or His promises, such as everyone believing into Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

We know three things for certain, we are to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and have no other gods before us. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, treating others as we want to be treated. And we believe the Father raised the Son from the dead, to provide a sound basis for our trust in and commitment to Him.

Matthew 13 tells us about soil #1 that had lost its ability to hear and understand the gospel through the practice of sin, blinded by Satan so to speak.

We also learned about soils #2, who superficially believed, because they wanted the Savior part of the Gospel, but had not committed to making Christ the Lord of their lives, because the suffering was too high a price.

Soil #3 could not turn loose of his other gods, the treasures of the world, and so fell away too.

When we called upon the name of the Lord, prior to being saved, by faith, we did not go part way in, but made a full blown commitment, both to our Savior, our Lord and our God.

The Name of Jesus

 

Once, while hiking in Kings Canyon National Park, along Bubs Creek, we came to a pool formed by a large granite boulder jutting out across the creek. The water was crystal clear, having flowed just a few miles from its headwaters near deep High Sierra snowbanks. I was hot, tired, and thirsty. I had a choice. Would I stand on the bank and admire? Would I put my toe in? Would I wade in as long as it was comfortable. Or like a very foolish young man, would I run on top of the granite boulder and jump into the center of the pool?

My commitment to Christ, going as best as I can, all in, includes freely admitting to my mistakes. You have probably guessed, that the water had been warmed by the sun , probably down an inch or two, but no more. Below that, the water was near the temperature of snow. My bad.

When we pray, lead us not into temptation and delivery us from evil, we need to be willing to listen and learn from God's word, recognizing pride hinders growth.