1 Kings 5:5 “I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’”
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name….Blessed be the Name of the Lord….Your Name is a strong and mighty tower….We sing about the name of God. We pray and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We’re commanded not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Solomon built the Temple for the Lord’s name.
Clearly, the name of the Lord carries great significance.
Scripturally, name denotes more than a tag or label. It signifies God’s revealed character. Jesus came in the “name of the Father” to illuminate what the invisible God would look like in human form (John 5:43). After Jesus ascended back to Heaven, his followers were to reveal the name. That’s why those in the early church were designated by the term “Christians.” Christian literally means “little Christ.” Now that’s a name to live up to!
We undoubtedly misrepresent his name. We are imperfect people seeking to portray a perfect God. Our doubts, insecurities and wounds can paint a picture of the name that doesn’t run true. At times, we veer so far off course that our image completely overshadows his. It’s no wonder many today have an aversion to even calling themselves Christian.
In spite of our mess-ups, however, God entrusts us with this privilege. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). He calls us his children and gives us his name for the exact purpose of empowering us to live up to it. “You may not feel like God’s child, but you are” shouts heaven. “So act like it!”
Don’t dismiss this great call because of all the weaknesses you see staring back at you in the mirror. As a Christian—a “little Christ”— let his name be seen in all you do. Even when you inevitably fall, remember who you are. Repent, get back up, and go about the business of once again reflecting his name.
You and I are now the Temple where he has chosen to put his name. Let’s live up to it!