“When your name is said in your community,
what do you think comes to a person’s mind?”
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and
favor is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) What do you think of that statement from the
Bible? It should make you stop and reflect on the kind of life you are living. (Image from iStock)
When your name is said in your community, what
do you think comes to a person’s mind? What about among your family and closest
friends, those who know you best, who know both your good and bad? What about
with God? Keep in mind, He is a Spirit that is present everywhere all the time.
Meaning, He has seen everything we have ever done and heard everything we have
ever spoken. He also knows everything that has ever passed through our mind:
all images, thoughts and motives. Based on that, what if someone came to God in
heaven and mentioned your name to Him, what do you think would come to His
mind?
The Bible verse clearly communicates that a
person’s name has significance because it is a reflection of their life. And it
states that a good name is to be chosen over riches. What does riches mean? It
refers to a person’s strong focus on increased income, possessions, influence
and all the different things that money can do at the expense of a good name.
But what is at the heart of the pursuit of riches? Self. We want, what we want,
when we want it. This reveals our perspective on life. First, we are the most
important person in our life and primarily focus on what has a direct or
indirect benefit on us. Second, we are only focused on the present or future of
this life.
What does the proverb mean by desiring a “good
name”? It does not primarily refer to a good name among people, because that
would lead to pleasing others in order to be accepted by them. It indicates
desiring a good name before God and acceptance by Him. This is the wiser and to
be sought out above everything else in life.
How does one achieve a good name? It starts with
admitting your life has been primarily about you, which has led to disobedience
against God and the disrespect of others. It is lifting your eyes off yourself
and up toward God’s only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again. It is calling
upon God in faith, asking Him to help change your ways, and maybe even going to
others to make things right whom you have wronged. It is God pouring His Spirit
within you and giving you His character and power to live differently. And
according to His Word, your life will start to become marked by a new set of
qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and
self-control.
The new life God will bring upon us will have
three amazing promises. First, we will receive a new name. Yes, we will keep
our previous name, but in being changed by God our name will become “good” by
Him, thereby becoming new. Second, Jesus promises that our new name is written
down in a book of life He possesses. Third, He promises that one day in the
future, beyond this life, He will confess our new name before God the Father in
heaven and all the angels.
If you continue living as you are, the God who
knows all things will judge you accordingly and the present and eternal
consequences that come will be justified. But if you desire a good name and
favor with God above the temporal things of this life, and turn to Him with all
your heart, you will escape His judgment and receive a new name that one day
will be voiced among the angels.
A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you
will help us to examine my ways. Have we been only living for ourselves and
this life? Have we disrespected others and disobeyed You in the pursuit of our interests?
Lift our eyes toward You, for You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Save us.
Change us. Give us a new name that we might live honorably before You. In Jesus
name. Amen.
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