The Power of a Name

There’s a great deal wrapped up in a name.  A name can point to one’s destiny or sum up one’s character.  Parents spend hours selecting the perfect name for their baby.  In the past, empires and explorers would carve out new territories—and give them names—to assert their control.  God is in the business of renaming people because He is in the business of remaking people–-of giving entirely new identities to those whom He calls and redeems.  Perhaps your story is messy or your burden of guilt is heavy.  Perhaps you would like a fresh start and a new identity.  Abram’s story in the book of Genesis tells us that, with God, a fresh start and a new identity are entirely possible.  And it all begins with a new name.

Abram had a messy story.  He rushed ahead of God’s timing and slept with a servant (Hagar) to have a child.  Afterward, God graciously came to Abram and gave him a new name.  When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.”  (Genesis 17:5)  The name “Abram” means “exalted father”.  But the new name “Abraham” means “father of a multitude”.  God’s covenant promise would now define Abraham’s identity.  And for a time, it would require an act of faith on Abraham’s part to bear that name before others.  Just think of it:  when Abraham reintroduced himself to his household and friends with a new name (“father of a multitude”) – there was occasion for a bit of scoffing given that he was 99 years old.  The renaming of Abram was a sign that God was reshaping and redirecting his life. 

When we come to know God through Jesus Christ, we become new people, new creatures, and part of a new creation. That is why Jesus gave Simon a new name—Peter (meaning “rock”)– which pointed to the covenant promises and purposes of God.  Recall that Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “…I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”   When we come to Jesus, we receive a new identity and a new name:  we once were enemies of God, but now He calls us “friends”; we once were spiritual orphans, but now we are “children of God”; we once were straying and lost, but now we are the “sheep” belonging to the Great Shepherd.  We once were faithless, but now we are called “believers”, “disciples”, and the very “people of God”.  These names speak to the fact that our identity – our very being – is defined by knowing God and being known by Him.

Of course, the Name that is “above all other names” (Phil. 2:19) belongs to Jesus Christ.  There is so much power and majesty in the Name of Jesus.  Would you consider coming to God through this glorious Name to be made new – to be cleansed of sin, restored, and called God’s own child?  A fresh start awaits.  A new identity beckons.  A God-given purpose calls.  And when you finish your race of faith on earth, you will receive yet another name.  As Revelation 2:17 declares, “To the one who overcomes… I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone.”  To God be the glory!