Devotionals
Matthew 3:9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ (NIV)
I didn’t like my name initially. Thus the nickname Marty. Years later my given name seemed more dignified and I readopted it.
Martin may not appear significant. Just a name picked from a list in some baby’s name book. Not in my case. It was my mother’s maiden name. So every time my name is spoken, written or read, it conjures up an entire genealogical diagram. It has value to me.
My middle name also has meaning. It was my father’s middle name and his father’s before him. William may give the impression of a common name but it has significance for me.
And my surname has substance as well. I’m not sure where it originated, but one of my cousins traced it to a Christopher born around the mid 1700’s. It has history.
But my first, middle or last name has no power to save me from what threatens me most: the consequences of my sins. And this is what John the Baptist told those who came to him. They wanted baptism and got called snakes instead. They were Abraham’s descendants. Surely that counted for something. John challenged them to prove their heritage. There was no safety in numbers or a name. Abraham’s name only had value if the person who claimed it had his faith.
Names are just that: names. They have no bearing on forgiveness or eternity. My father and grandfather had great faith. So does my mother. But carrying their names will not carry me into heaven. For that another name is needed. Christian. A Christ follower. One who has acknowledged their sinfulness and accepted Jesus’ payment on Calvary. A person who diligently strives to obey his directives.
With this name I can come to the water with proof I belong to him because my actions will demonstrate it. And I’ll be safe, not because my name is Martin William Wiles but because it’s Christian. Depend on Christ’s name to get you into heaven, not your own.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we’re tempted to depend on our name, good works, position, possessions, or anything else to gain Your acceptance, remind us it’s Your name. www.lovelinesfromgod.com
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