Have you ever thought about what your name means and why your parents chose it for you? Were you named after a family member that everyone loved? Maybe your parents didn’t name you? There are cultures where a family member names the child instead of the parents. I have a friend who was sure she was having a boy. When her baby was delivered, she was shocked when she had a girl. No girl names were picked out. She had to think quick. It was a morning and raining outside. So she named her Misty Dawn. Sometimes parents choose a name because of how it rolls off the tongue.
If we go to the Bible, we discover the names had specific meanings. Adam, the first man, means earthy or red. He was made from the dust of the earth. Methuselah means he has sent his death. Methuselah died and then the flood came. Samson means there the second time. And God gave him a second chance to defeat the Philistines. Samuel, who was prayed for by his mother Hannah, means asked of God. David was a man after God’s own heart and his name means well-beloved. Daniel’s name means judgement of God and he was among the captives of Babylon. Jesus means Savior. And He is our Savior. Names had a meaning and purpose in the Bible. Names reflected the character of the person.
Many of us call ourselves Christians. It is a name we take on. Do you know what the name Christian means? According to Merriam Webster, a Christian is one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The character of a person taking the name Christian so be that of Jesus. There is a song by DC Talk called What if I Stumble. The beginning has the following: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply find unbelievable.”
If we call ourselves Christians, we should act like Christians. We shouldn’t lie, steal, kill, gossip. A comedian named Ken Davis once said, “so tired of people who claim to be followers of Christ who walk around with a face that looks like they swallowed a profusely sweating toad...I’ve been a Christian for 27 years. It’s been great.. I wanna say well tell your face. You need to send missionaries to your face. Your face has not yet heard the good news.” Our faces should reflect our relationship with Jesus. We should have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in our hearts...and on our faces. How do we expect to convert others if we are miserable? Or just look miserable? Let me tell you about the love of Jesus. I wouldn’t want to experience that type of love. I know His love puts a smile on my face. The things He has done in my life, how could I not smile. Does this mean my life is easy? No! Not even close. But He IS close and I am not alone.
Want to be a witness to others? Don’t just take the name Christian, but live the life of a Christian. This is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace.
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