Truly Known by a New Name

We have been worshiping with our current congregation for about five years now. About a year ago, a young woman who grew up in this body of believers gotten married and therefore took on a new last name. I am acquainted with Mandy through an area in which we both volunteer and know her enough to talk casually. A few months back I looked across the foyer of the church and as hard as I tried I could not remember her maiden name. She had only been married seven or eight months at the time, but the name I had known her by for the previous four years was completely gone from my mind. Her married name simply fit the woman that she is today. She belongs with wonderful young man God placed beside her to be her lifelong partner.

This incident reminded me that we also have entered into a marriage and taken on a new name. At the point that we were born again from above (see the discussion of Jesus with Nicodemus in John chapter 3.) we are given a new name. Scripture tells us, “For your Maker is your Husband—the Lord of hosts is His name—and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.” (Isaiah 54:5 AMP) We are now called by the name of the God of the whole earth. Isn’t that amazing?

We are actually transformed into an entirely new being. “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP) We are no longer the person we previously were and others will see this.

We are joined with Jesus to walk this new life with Him. “And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” (Ephesians 2:6 AMP) We are now living in His world. Our new name suits us, because we belong with Jesus.

As couples grow together they often begin to take on characteristics of each other. They can pick up on each other’s mannerisms. They may begin to finish each other’s sentences. In time they may even begin to look like each other. These same things occur as we spend time with Jesus. By His Holy Spirit the word of God will change us and we will begin to look and act more like Him. “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP)

The name Christian simply means little Christ or Christ like ones. We take on that name when we present our lives to Jesus and receive His salvation. This name is given not to those who work for it but to all who simply say “yes” and receive it. “[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].” (2 Timothy 1:9 AMP)

Everything here on earth is a shadow of what will be to come. The marriage of a man and woman on earth is a picture of Christ and His church. Paul gave instructions concerning marriage to the church at Ephesus. (See Ephesians 5:21–33) In these instructions he stated, “This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32 AMP) As promised in Revelation, we have the marriage feast of Jesus and His bride, the church, to look forward to. “Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people). Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9 AMP)

So proudly wear the name of your bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Grow more in love with Him and allow His love to transform you. Your new name just fits who you are.