What's In A Name?

“He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords,

 and all other NAMES that can be named,

 not only in this present world but also in the world to come.”  *

Have you ever really considered the power that is inherent in a name?  Most parents will make great effort to assure that they choose the right names for their children.  That name becomes the goal for who they hope that their child will become.  In later years the utterance of that name will immediately evoke a picture in the mind of the speaker as to the personality, make up and reliability of the individual being spoken of.  That name becomes a one word definition of who that person is.

As our oldest child approaches his 32^nd birthday this week, I can look back at who he has become and see the similarities in his life to that of his biblical namesakes Joshua the son of Nun and James the leader of the church in Jerusalem.  I have always seen Joshua in the Old Testament as a quiet but wise leader who seamlessly took over the reigns of leadership from Moses and led the children of Israel successfully through the conquest of the Promised Land.  Our Josh is also a quiet but wise leader who can make anyone feel comfortable in almost any situation.  He is an accomplished musician, but more than that, a gifted worship leader with a heart for God who can skillfully bring a congregation right into the very presence of God.  And like James, he has a pastor’s heart that always extrudes a concern for others while he ministers to them with just the right word at the right time.

There is a negative side to names as well.  There are certain names that will immediately evoke dread and fear, anxiety or a sense of hopelessness.  Names such as cancer, foreclosure, debt or downsizing can quickly conjure up thoughts of despair in the mind of the hearer.  Usually it doesn’t even matter if that name is being associated with you or someone you know and/or love in order to bring its negative connotations to your mind.  It is the worldly response of fear that has been associated with that name over the years.  It is the exact reaction that the enemy of our souls wants you to have.

But, our scripture in Ephesians 1:21 gives us a whole new freedom from the expected reaction to whatever name is cast your way.  It says that Jesus is “far above… all names that can be named!”  (God’s Word ©)  In speaking of this verse, Thayer’s Greek Definitions states that “The name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing or remembering the name…”  So Jesus has power and authority above every name! 

But wait a minute… for it gets even better!  Ephesians 2:6 goes on to say that “God has brought us back to life together with Christ and has given us a position in heaven with him.”  (God’s Word ©)  The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary explains that “Believer’s are bodily in heaven in point of right.”  In other words our position in heaven includes all the rights and privileges that Jesus possesses since we are seated with Him.

Philippians 2:10 says that God gave Jesus “a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow…”  (NIV)  So what’s my point?  At the name of Jesus spoken through the lips of a Believer, EVERY NAME must bow the knee of its power and submit itself to the authority we have in HIS name!  The Message Bible calls this grasping “the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians.”  (Ephesians 1:19)

Wow!  Now that’s what I call living a glorious and victorious way of life in this convoluted world!  So I encourage you to keep meditating on Ephesians chapters 1-3 as you learn to take your God given authority and change your world… one person, one situation and one day at a time!  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”

*  Ephesians 1:21 - God's Word ©