Today's Question: What's in a name?

Chapter 7, page 56 - The Name by Franklin Graham
Thomas Nelson Publishers

On one of his campaigns, Alexander the Great received a message that one of his soldiers had displayed cowardice in the face of the enemy and was brought before Alexander. Standing there before this great dreaded warrior and conqueror of the known world, Alexander asked the young soldier, "What is your name?"

The reply came back with fear and trembling, "Sir, my name is Alexander." To this, the great commander bristled and shouted to the young soldier, "Change your behavior or change your name."

That simple statement says a mouthful. Let's be clear about one thing, Jesus does not need someone to "represent" Him. His very name is Life. There is nothing more powerful that the simplicity of His Word. However, if we claim to be one of His children, then we carry the awesome responsibility and privilege to represent who He is. Who are we representing?

We are to be the light to the world as a vessel of Jesus. Our witness in action, not word should go before us and hold us accountable for who we are in Him. We must be sure that those who see us know that we are associated with Him. This must be done in love, as there are people who are in need of a Savior and you may be the only Jesus they see.

All over the world people turn to religion and that is their folly. Roy Gustafson once said, "Religion is what sinful people try to do for a Holy God, and the Gospel is the Good News of what a Holy God has already done for sinful people." Our job is to live for Him and be an ambassador.

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Today's Question: Where have all the Christians gone?

On one hand you have alot of people who go to church, think they are okay, feel good about themselves and might even believe in "god". On the other hand, you have those that profess that they are bonifde, washed in the blood, tongue speaking, Jesus worshiping, world saving believers and they aren't ashamed to tell you about it..........on Sunday mornings.

Where have the tried and true believers gone? Where are the believers that die daily? Where are the believers that recognize that they are sinners saved by grace through faith? Where are the believers that realize that they don't have "Fire Insurance" but stand in awe that He paid a debt He did not owe so that we could be justified and cleansed in the eyes of His Father and receive a reward we do not deserve? Where are the believers that read their Bible daily and spend time with the Lord? Where are the believers who realize that they are a vessel of God, set apart from this world? Where are the believers that seek Him? Where are the believers that desire Him? Where are the believers that love Him?

I'm searching within, asking myself these very questions.

Where are the believers?

This is the first day of my Blog. Thanks to Kristen and Jon for showing me their friend Brett's Blog. I enjoy reading it and since I'm reading an intriguing book titled 'The Name' by Franklin Graham, I thought I'd start my own under the same name.

I don't know if anyone will read this or not but my goal is to engage others in a meaningful discussion on the name of Jesus.

The Name...

...offends
...is confrontational
...is harsh
...is powerful
...heals
...is love
...is salvation
...is life

What is it to you?