We are continuing meditations on how to respond to the name of the Lord.
·
Acts 9:27-28: One thing Barnabas could say about
Paul in convincing the Jerusalem church to receive him was that he spoke boldly
in the name of Jesus. Was there danger
of hypocrisy, that the church was being deceived? Not likely.
To preach in someone’s name is to identify with that person. Paul publicly, boldly, identified with Jesus. And, of course, his life was threatened so
that he had to escape in a basket let down from the walls of the city (9:23-25).
·
1 Peter 4:14: Thus, we also conclude that, being
reproached for the name of Christ is a blessing. Why?
Because we partake in Christ’s sufferings and also of His glory
(v13). That’s why Peter says, the
Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
It is a mark of genuine faith.
Remember, in 2 Cor 10-12, when Paul spoke of the proof of his
apostleship, the proofs were the lengthy list of his sufferings and affliction
for the name of Christ.
·
Revelation 2:13: The above then leads to another
response: we do not deny the faith but hold fast to My (Jesus’) name. This was said to the Smyrna Church who responded
this way in days of persecution and martyrdom.
And lest you think your situation is hard, they lived where Satan’s
throne is!
Some NT passages clearly
point out how we dishonor the name of the Lord.
·
Rom. 2:17-24: Hypocrisy is a big thing. To attach ourselves to “the name of the Lord”
and then publicly live in a way that dishonors Him shames the name in the
community where we seek to make disciples.
This Romans passage talks about how the Jews did this, boasting about
their expertise in the law, and yet breaking the law. The name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles because of you. Every “church
fight” that goes public does that, as do the blatant sins of church leaders (1
Tim. 3:7).
·
1 Tim. 6:1: In the workplace, Christians who
cannot submit themselves to their bosses, blaspheme the name of God and His
doctrine. It is often said, and I
believe often true, that the people of the world expect more from those who
boldly testify of Christ. And why
not? We have the power of God’s Spirit
so that we might live to please God.
·
James 2:6-7: Jesus pointed out how the people of
the world (the Gentiles) rule by lording it over others. Instead, He called us to servant
leadership. James builds on this,
drawing attention to rich people who name the name of Christ, and yet who
operate as the Gentiles, by oppressing the poor. In that way they blaspheme that noble name
by which you are called.
In our next post we will return to the OT for
similar help in honoring the Name!
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