“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“One wan to become a new person is to make like Prince and fashion a persona, the way stars pluck duds from a wardrobe. This is not what happened to Saul. The followers of Jesus were afraid of Saul, and for good reason. Saul had made a name for himself by persecuting the early Christians, tracking them down, and hauling them off to prison. But Jesus turned Saul’s life around. Paul formerly known as Saul Egan spreading the good news about Jesus and doing great things for the church. This 180-degree change in direction was a total transformation only God could pull off.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Identity Theft

Have you ever known someone who changed their name? I am not talking now about someone who gets married and decides to change their last name. No, I am talking about someone who doesn’t like their first name and so they legally change it to something else. I have had a few friends who have done just that. It is a bit jarring, I must say. I have usually found out about the name change when they send me a friend request on social media and they have to explain that they used to be known as “such and such” but now they go by “so and so”.

Getting a name change in the Bible is significant — it is not just a passing fancy. Abram becomes Abraham to signify that G-d is serious about his progeny becoming as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore. Jacob becomes Israel when G-d tells him that he will continue to struggle with G-d throughout his life, but it will not be in vain. And Saul becomes Paul once Jesus visits him giving him renewed purpose in his life.

We may be named Steven, Paul, Leah, or Matthew, or even Ariah, but through our baptisms G-d renames us as “children of the Heavenly Father.” That is a name no one can take away from us — and will always have its true value.

Let us pray,

Oh Lord, the name above all names, forgive us our sins and renew us as your children every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave