Identified By Name
By Carol Warfield

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

First, we must understand or describe the meaning of the word, name. We know that a name constitutes a person or thing. Name is used to appoint out, to designate or specify someone. A name is different from a title. A
name is who we are, but a title is what we may be.

A title is a descriptive name of honor or respect, recognition, such as a pastor, a superintendent, or a doctor, who is a physician. These titles tell us the office or rank they hold. The title reveals our status as a child of God. We have a spiritual title that reveals our God-given rights and responsibilities. We are the righteousness of God, who is the All Sufficient One and we are the apple of His eye.

Let’s look at some of the Bible names and their meanings…

* Noah Rest
* Moses Drawn Out
* David Beloved
* Peter Rock
* Israel Prince Of God
* Abraham is distinguished by the high title of “Friend Of God”
* The Church is called the Bride

It’s all in the name. So our name is very important to God and tells us much about who and what we are.

God changed some men’s earthly names; Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul, and Abram to Abraham.

Our name is a precious gift that we carry throughout our lives. My first name is Joyce, which means joy or joyous, and my middle name is Carol, which means spirit-filled, compassionate one. I like my name, but I have a higher name that is above all names and that’s the Name of Jesus, which I treasure very highly. When I think about my name, Joyce, I think about the joy that came into my heart when God filled me with His wonderful Spirit and I took on His Name in baptism.

The enemy of our soul would like to steal our joy. If he accomplishes that he knows he can weaken us. He wants us to be sad, but with the joy of the Lord living down inside us, there is strength.

Just a smile can make a difference those around us. There was a. saint the church who called me “Smiley” and I like that. By the way, if you ever walk by someone and give them a big smile, for the most part, they will smile back at you. When you love people, it’s easy to wear a beautiful smile.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4:7)

I often wonder why the church world will pray in Jesus’ Name, ask for healing in that Name, ask for financial help in that Name, but refuse to be identified in water baptism in that Name. I chose to follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart to be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

There’s a song that goes like this.

“Smile awhile and give your face a rest,
Raise your hands to the one you love the best,
Turn around to someone near,
Shake their hand and smile!”

Little things mean a lot and when we wear the beautiful Name of Jesus, we have every reason to smile. Show someone your affection or pleasure by sharing a smile today! God’s people wear it well  are you one of them?

This article “Identified By Name” written by Carol Warfield is excerpted from Apostolic Writers’ Digest September 2007.