Living Up To The Name

In 2001, Sean Combs made a shocking decision to change his recognizable stage name from Puff Daddy to the shortened P. Diddy. This decision came after he was acquitted of charges for gun possession and bribery. Most people were confused by this action (including myself), and simply chalked it up to mere celebrity weirdness.

However, many people assumed that this was a symbol that Mr. Combs was choosing to follow a different path in his life, and he represent this by changing his name. Whereas, others assumed that this name change was an homage to his dear friend-Notorious B.I.G.-who referred to Combs as Diddy. Whatever the reason is, I think we can all agree that it is ridiculous to refer to a grown man as Diddy, but I think I can understand the idea of a name change to reflect a lifestyle change.

I've had friends in my life who have decided to change their last name because they had a bad relationship with their father, and, out of respect, took the last name of someone else who had been more of a father to them. They chose to publicly show that they were choosing to honor the person who had played such an important role in their life, by taking their last name. And I can respect that, no matter what their last name becomes.

On our wedding day, my wife chose to demonstrate her commitment to our life and new family by changing her last name to Martin. She didn't do this simply because it makes things less confusing, but because she wanted everyone that met us to know that we belonged to each other and were responsible to each other.

Name change reflecting life change is something that is shown throughout the Bible. When God chooses Abram and Sarai to be the father of the nation of Israel, He represents their covenant by changing their names to Abraham and Sarah. God changes Abraham's great grandson's name from Jacob to Israel (which is a little strange, it would be like someone naming their baby America). In the New Testament, Jesus changes one of his followers name from Simon to Peter. Each one of these people experienced a significant life change, and God showed this by changing their names.

Here's where things get personal. When we accept what Christ did on the cross and ask that He'll apply that grace to us, then God changes our name. Clearly I'm not talking about your legal name, but God calls us something different.

You once were Lost

Now, you're Found

You once were Dead

Now you're Alive

You once were Sinner

Now you're Forgiven

You once were Weak

Now you're Strong

You once were Fatherless

Now you're Son or Daughter

You once were Broken

Now you're Healed

You once were Lonely

Now you're Surrounded

You once were Empty

Now you're Filled

You once were Scared

Now you're Fearless

You once were Excluded

Now you're Accepted

You once were Hopeless

Now you're Saved

The question is are you going to live up to your new name or not?

I'm not talking about whether you feel like you're called Saved or Loved or Accepted, but whether you live up to that. Do you live life like you have been given new life? Do you live like you've been given a spirit of power? Or do you live like you're helpless? Do you live like sin is in control?

Do you live like God has called you Daughter or Son or do you live like you're still Fatherless?

It's not just important for you to know things about God, but the things you know about God should change you. The only way that you can tell whether God has changed your name is whether you choose to obey His commands. God has called us to know Him, but more importantly God has called us to be known by Him. God wants to change your name, but you have to be willing to live up to that name.

Are you ready to live like you truly know God? Are you ready to love like God loves, and to live like God lives?

Are you ready for a name change?