Wed 8.3 - Another Name Angle

Today’s Readings: Colossians 3.17-25; Exodus 20.7;  Acts 11.26; Ephesians 3.14-15

So far this week we have noted two angles through which to look at the idea of “in the name” of Jesus, in verse 17 and 23 of Colossians 3. They were:

1) Acting like him, as we believe he would act were he there in the situation.

2) Acting on behalf of him, as his ambassador to the earth during this time of his physical body’s absence, and his spiritual body’s presence.

Today, let’s take a slightly different approach and round off this idea of acting in the NAME of Jesus Christ. I want to first direct your attention to the selected reading for today from Exodus. I would imagine that most people have at least heard this verse of Scripture before, if not read it or memorized it. We typically speak of this verse when talking about the 10 commandments. However, let’s lift it out of that context today and look at it through our idea from Colossians 3.

That verse tells us not to “TAKE the NAME of the Lord” in vain. So what does that mean. Well, let’s focus on those two words capitalized…

TAKE - what could that mean? Well, let me just say it doesn’t mean “say” or “speak” the name like we so often hear. While that would be included in this truth, it in NO WAY stops there. Think of how we would use that same word in other ways. If I walked up to you and offered you a gift, and I said, “go ahead, take it” how would you hear that word then? Would the idea of speaking about the gift ever even pop into your head? Of course not. You would think I meant it as “receive” or “make it your own”.

NAME - now apply that truth to TAKING the NAME of God…how do we TAKE someone’s name still today? Well, in case this scary wedding picture wasn’t enough hint for you, it’s at a marriage. When Sandy Smith married David Brown, she was no longer Smith, but Brown. She TOOK the NAME of Brown. In the same way, when we are saved, we take on the family name of our Father - the Lord. (one more aspect of the fact that we are now the “sons of God”, see John 1.12-14)

So, here’s the meat of what we should walk away with this morning…

- As a child of God, I have TAKEN His name upon myself when I was saved.

- Now, as part of His family, my actions reflect on Him. (have you ever heard of a father saying to one of their children, “You have disgraced the name of _____”?) It’s that same idea. WHAT WE DO REFLECTS ON HIM. It’s just the hard truth of the matter. As much as I hate to admit it and wish it was different sometimes. Our poor representation of Christ is oftentimes why the World around us wants nothing to do with Him. But then again, why would they if this is how His people act!?!?

- So, it is very important that my actions “WORD OR DEED” would live up to the reality of who I AM in Him. As one of His children, is this right by my Father? That should always be the question at the tip of our tongues.

May God help His children today to act according to who they are in Him. May we represent our Father and His Word well as we go throughout our days. And may all our WORDS and DEEDS be done according to His will and way. Amen.

1.3 - How can anyone be PERFECT?

Today’s Readings: Colossians 1, Ephesians 4

Last night at the Fridge, we talked about God’s desire for the life of His children from the middle of Colossians 1. One of the things He desires for us, is that we “walk worthy of the Lord…strengthened with all might…meet to be partakers of the inheritance.” Among other things He outlines, even just these seem to be a pretty high standard don’t they???

If you will remember, we also mentioned that the book of Ephesians was a sort of “twin” to the book of Colossians. Check out how God describes the goal of the believer in Jesus Christ in Ephesians 4. After giving a list of spiritual gifts, he says those gifts are given so that “…we all com in the UNITY of the FAITH, and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT man, unto the MEASURE of the STATURE of the FULLNESS of Christ.”  Wow! God actually expects me to be living up to the standard of CHRIST!??! He really expects me to be PERFECT??!!?? How can that be? (I even have to ask myself - ‘Are you sure God means that for ME, because I know ME and I do not think I can pull that one off.)

Now, I know that seems to be a unrealistic goal. But why would God set a goal in front of us and then command us to meet that goal if it was impossible? He wouldn’t, would He!?

Well, the answer to the question is, “NO!” However, we must remember what we talked about last night. The strength that we have to reach that MEASURE, STATURE, FULLNESS and PERFECTION of Christ is none other than CHRIST HIMSELF living inside of us! We have something no other generation of God followers has had, the LIVING GOD doing His LIVING IN AND THROUGH US! Check out what God says in Colossians 1.27-29. It would be easy for anyone to look at these verses and think that it was too tall an order to be filled in our modern world, to think that there is no HOPE. Yet, it was almost like God anticipated that we would think that, so He concluded the chapter with these words… saying that there is a MYSTERY that allows all of this to happen, something that generations past didn’t fully understand. This is mystery is given to us of God which is CHRIST IN us, the HOPE of GLORY. There is no hope to measure up if we are relying only on ourselves. But, when we rely on the Christ IN us, I think HE can live up to HIS OWN STANDARD, don’t you? The last verse even says that it is God “which worketh in me mightily” to accomplish His own purpose for me. Wow!

How can anyone be Perfect??? The only way - to be in the PERFECT ONE (Jesus Christ) and for the PERFECT ONE to be in ME.