February 17, 2021

What’s In A Name?

One summer many years ago, my brother Grady went to camp with a friend for a week. My dad took him aside before he left and said this to him, “Remember, you are taking my name with you.” I’m sure that phrase was spoken to me and my brothers various times over the years, but that particular time stuck out to me.
Why did he say that to us? He was reminding us that our last name was Niles. My dad was saying that he gave us that name and what we did reflected on him. In other words, he was telling us that we needed to make good choices when we were not with him.

As followers of Jesus, we often call ourselves Christians. And when we call ourselves that, we carry the name of Christ with us. We are taking His Name with us. How often do our actions reflect that wonderful name of Christ? Are we reflecting the love of the Christ to others, especially when we call ourselves Christians?

Jesus said to us in John 13:34-35 (ESV) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I’m reminded of the song “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”. It’s one we’ve sung in church before but the lyrics are a good reminder that we carry the name of Christ with us and our actions should reflect the love of Christ Jesus.

They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side, We will work with each other, we will work side by side, And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, All praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son
And all praise to the Spirit who make us one
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.