Saturday, March 10, 2012 - "Hello, My Name Is . . . "

"And so, since God in His mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.  

We reject all shameful and underhanded methods.  

We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. 

We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that. . .

"We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord.  

All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants 

because of what Jesus has done for us."

2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5

     Saul once did everything he did because of the law, but once he saw the Light of Jesus, everything Paul did was because of what Jesus had done for him.  

"I once thought all these things 

(circumcision, being a circumcised, pure-blooded Jew of Benjamin's tribe and a strict, zealous Pharisee of good standing - from vv. 4-6) 

were so very important, but now I consider them worthless 

because of what Christ has done." 

Philippians 3:7

     Saul had been spiritually blind to the Truth because of centuries of the way things were, but the new Paul, whom God allowed to be physically blinded for a time, saw and accepted Truth.  Saul administered the Law, but the new Paul ministered in Power.  Saul focused more on the self-glory of his accomplishments, but the new Paul called himself a slave to Christ Who transformed him.   

     What were our names before Christ transformed us? (Professor Prideful; Senora Self-Centered; Dr. Dishonest; Miss Manipulative; Mr. Malcontent) 

    And more importantly, how well does my character, does your character, match our new names? Here are a few to consider: 

"Jesus Christ's Slave" (Rom. 1:1); 

"Called" (Rom. 1:6); 

"Loved" and "His Own" (Rom. 1:7);

"Appointed" (2 Cor. 1:1)

"Comforted" (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

"Freed" (Gal. 5:1)

"God's Holy People" (Eph. 1:1)

"Faithful Followers" (Eph. 1:1)

"Adopted into God's Family" (Eph. 1:5)

"Forgiven" (Eph. 1:7)

"Heirs with Christ" (Eph. 1:11)

"Dear Brothers and Sisters" (Eph. 6:23)

"Partners in Spreading the Good News about Christ" (Phil. 1:5

"Citizens of Heaven" (Phil. 1:27)

"Children of God" (Phil. 2:15)

Father, thank you - praise You, for living up to Your Name and Character, for being faithful to the Glory of Your Name.  Thank You for giving us new names and help us live up to them. We're lazy when it comes to the discipline of becoming who You tell us we are, Lord.  It's easier to default to who we were, but don't let us get away with it. You freed us from the power of sin and the burden of keeping the old covenant, now live freely in us. Your blood covered our sin so give us the courage to live in rebellion to the rule of sin. We're called to work together to spread the Good News so lead us to let go of our differences and start spreading the Word.  Show us how to live as Citizens of Heaven instead of chasing mirages of success on earth.

In the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names