8th May 2021
NAMES
David Abankwah
SERIES: Day 2
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
-Acts 4:12 | NKJV
Names are so powerful that it is linked to our salvation. Wrong usage of a good name can even ruin your salvation. Many Ministers have been using the name of Jesus Christ to bind and to cast out demons, to heal the sick, and to do all sort of wonders but the one whose name is used will say to them He never knew them. Why? This is because, instead of using the name rightly for the purpose of salvation, they didn’t do that. Instead of using the name to do the will of God, they rather used it for their selfish gains and for sinful purposes. The name of Jesus Christ was not given mainly for miracles but for salvation. Miracle working should be the product of salvation.
There are so many people struggling in their Christian lives not because of any evil spirit, but because of the meaning of their names. Check the meaning of your name and you will realise why you are struggling in your Christian life or not. Because many people think changing their names will ruin their family’s reputation, usage for various documentations and what have you, they rather keep it and suffer in their Christian lives without making it to New Jerusalem. If Achan died without reaching the promised land (now New Jerusalem), then it was because of the meaning of his name that meant “trouble.” His name ruined his salvation and the salvation of the people closer to him.
We know of three men who stood for God in Babylon without committing idolatry (sin) concerning their salvation who were called Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), Azariah (Abed-Nego). Because of this, many people name their children Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego without checking the meaning of such names. The three men couldn’t stand because they were called Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego but because they were called Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. It was the chief of the eunuchs who changed their names, but that was not what they were originally called. But these men didn’t call themselves by the latter names. They flowed in their former names.
Many of those named as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego are struggling in their Christian lives, because the meaning of such names is linked to idolatry. You will always idolise certain things in your life more than God. Your name can make you more or less religious. If Jesus Christ hadn’t changed Simon’s name to Peter (rock) which made him immoveable even amid all the struggles of his Christian life, he would not have made it to the end of his journey in Christianity. If names have no bearing on our Christian life, the Persecuting Saul would not have been called the Apostle Paul. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham too. No wonder he became the father of faith.
•| Prayer Diary |•
Lift up prayers for the leading of God whether to change or maintain your name for the benefit of the walk of your faith in the Lord in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
The name “Jesus Christ” is highly exalted because of its salvation significance. Your name has a bearing on your Christian life.
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles Chapters 1-4
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 