What's in a Name?

 Last night in my church, we began teaching in Judges 14 and the beginning of Samson' life of disobedience.  I don't want to focus here on his disobedience, but on his name.  The name Samson means "Sunny" or "Brightness."   This name given by the Lord to Manoah and his wife was while the unborn child was still in the womb of his mother, and was given to be a "hope" and "light" in a dark and hopeless time.  You see, the Isrealites had been in captivity by the Philistines, and their captivity was to be the longest for them of 40 years!   Be that as it may...let's get back to the "name" given by the Lord to Samson. 

I look at his name and the characteristic he was to fulfill by and in that name..."Brightness....Sunny"....one that brings light to darkness...one that brings hope to hopelessness.  We all know what "light" is...the absence of dark...so in that; Samson was separated for a purpose to be that "light" and that "Brightness" to a very dark place.  So what's in a name?  Alot!  

What about your name?  Not the name your parents gave you..but the Name you have in Jesus.  The name you/we consider ourselves to be...a Christian.  In that name is assembled the most of accountability and responsibility for anyone who says they are a Christian.  In this name is the characteristic of being "Christ-like" in all we do and who we are!  Here's some of the words (characteristics) of the name Christian: Holy, Righteous, Good, Faithful, True, Just, Peaceable, Spotless, innocent, Harmless, Resisting Temptation, Obedient to the Father, Zealous, Meek, Lowly in Heart, Merciful, Patient, Long-Suffering, Compassionate, Giving, Loving, Self-Denying, Humble, Submitted, Forgiving, Conformed, Transformed...and there's more!

The issue is that when you and I receive the "Name" of Christian and place it upon ourselves as an "ID" to the World, then we are to also take on the characteristics associated with it.  This is why I say it's a "way of life" that is to be demonstrated in you and thru you...and pouring out of you and into the lives of those around you!

It's important to know that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, and you have accepted the name Christian to be your identification "from" the World (like Samson), then you/we/I must begin to demonstrate the characteristics of that name!  We are not to say we are Christians and then "act" and "do" as the World does!  It's an offense to the One who saved you!  

What's in a name??  Ask yourself this question about your own life. 
If you call yourself a Christian...are you living it out in your life?  Are you showing others you are a Christ-Follower not just in name only?  Are you willing to "deny self" and "pick up your cross" and "follow Jesus" not just in name...but in life? 

What's in a name?  Alot!