NAMES! They play an important role in our identity and mean a lot especially to those of African descent. That is the reason people often repeat their names in generations such as George Bush.jnr. Also people who have a successful life or family background take pride in their names while those that bear only a similarity to those famous names are not in a hurry to explain their non relations with them.
Strangely, this is often not the case with Christians. We have the BEST NAME on this earth yet we do not make our boast with it as we should. The name JESUS CHRIST is a name that is above all names and one that we must take pride in to make known ANYWHERE but it is a disturbing trend that we only use it within the confines of prayer and Christian circles. While people flaunt their natural names all over the place, we seem to be on the quiet side about this.
Perhaps, a part of the problem lies in the religious teaching of emphasising the name GOD. But we will soon see that that is not scriptural. We are Christians and CHRIST is the name that represents GOD on this earth. So why are we not forthcoming in calling HIS NAME as a lifestyle and not only prayer style?
Recently, at a Christian conference I attended, someone asked the question why we keep calling Jesus Christ more than God? The hall was in silence and then laughter. I guess it was clear to most attendees that this was the mother of ignorance for a Christian questioning his identity. But later, as I thought on the matter, I realised a lot of Christians suffer from the same ignorance (though not in the same degree as his).
Most Christians relate with the name GOD rather than Christ. But is this right? Is it what GOD expects of us, after all we cannot claim to be more protective of GOD than CHRIST? Here is what Jesus told Phillip when he sought to separate GOD (The Father) from Jesus. I presume he thought he was too ‘spiri’ (slang for spiritual) and wise. Think deeply on what Jesus told him.
“Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me Phillip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. So how can you say ‘Show us the Father’? John 14.9NKJV(emphasis mine)
Earlier in their conversation, Jesus said to him
“If you have known Me, you should have known My Father too and from now on you know Him and have seen Him” John 14.7NKJV (emphasis mine)
What was the import of Jesus’ words? He was stating clearly to Phillip (and everyone else) that He represents the GODHEAD on earth and therefore it is irrelevant to want to know GOD when He, CHRIST was before them. In Heaven, there is the Awesome and Almighty GODHEAD made of the TRINITY as in GOD the FATHER, THE WORD and the HOLY SPIRIT (1 John 5.7KJV). But on earth, it is the name and person of JESUS CHRIST that is GOD for us. There is no contention in Heaven because it is a divine protocol.
Again to further confirm this order of protocol.
“Who is a liar but he who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” 1 John 2.22-23NKJV (emphasis mine)
Therefore the summation of these scriptures is that we already have GOD with us in the person of JESUS CHRIST and we must acknowledge this truth EVERYWHERE and not occasionally or restrictively but as a LIFESTYLE. This is our trademark that distinguishes us from all other beliefs. Have you ever wondered why companies with famous brand names are fiercely protective of it and will defend it anywhere with all their resources? Because you are your brand. We know Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Microsoft, and Apple etc because of their BRAND NAME. If your brand is strong or weak, you will be affected by it.
Therefore when we uphold the name of JESUS CHRIST EVERYWHERE AND IN ALL THINGS, we acknowledge GOD. It is also the weapon by which we fight the spirit of the anti christ that is now in the world and contending with all that is of CHRIST. The devil loves it when we keep the NAME of CHRIST out of our conversations and routine. It blurs the difference between us and the world. Don’t forget the world also uses the name God. So how can you tell? Picture this scenario. You, a Christian are in the midst of people of various faiths such as Islam, Buddha, Scientology, Mormon, Hindu, African Traditional Religion, and Illuminate and are discussing your spiritual experiences with every one using the name, God. If someone listened to all of you would he tell there is a difference? I don’t think so for he will think you have a common faith but only through different ways. Is that true? Of course not. But therein is the confusion when we are not using the name JESUS CHRIST as we should.
Now imagine the same scenario and you kept on calling JESUS CHRIST while they are calling God. Anyone listening in will know you are distinct and there is a crystal clear difference. You stand out and he will be curious to find out why you are not in agreement with their concept of god. I have met such people during evangelism outings. They claim” we are serving the same god only in different ways” I politely tell them no because CHRIST IS GOD.
That usually causes some reaction because I have now taken a stand that is in conflict with their faith because they don’t accept CHRIST as GOD. If I am given the opportunity to explain, I do so otherwise I move on to the next person. There is no debate about the TRUTH (2 Timothy 2.23 -26). I learnt that after long periods of exhaustion and contention with people who were operating with the spirit of the anti- christ. That is how Jesus taught it and how we must uphold HIM. That is how we remain DISTINCTIVE, DIFFERENT AND SEPERATE.
He also said about our uniqueness
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15.19NKJV(emphasis mine)
We are the LIGHT and are the chosen ones to bring light to those in darkness. Why should we hide our LIGHT (CHRIST) under the basket when He should be set on a lampstead to give light to the world? Mathew 5.15. (My paraphrase). It is not a contest, debate or contention and in everything, we must follow peace with all manner of men. There are those that have a genuine need to learn, teach them. For those still blinded, heed the counsel in 2 Timothy 2.23-26 and avoid strife. But in all of this, NEVER SHIFT YOUR POSITION OF TRUTH AND LIGHT. DON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO INTIMIDATE YOU INTO A GENERAL CONCEPT OF GOD.
The spirit of the antichrist is the main weapon that satan is using to undermine the incarnation of Christ, the work of the Cross and the plan of salvation while ensuring that those who are in darkness remain in that state.
“And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world” 1 John 4.3NKJV(emphasis mine)
As always, he does it in a very subtle and attractive ways so that even the undiscerning Christian is often taken in by such deception. Many do not really understand how the spirit of the antichrist works even though they have some knowledge of it as information. This teaching will enlighten you about the things we should be aware of so as not to be mislead.
When satan rebelled against God with some angels, he lost out and was confined to hell. Oh! He was MAD because it was a huge failure of his plans. he didn’t like it one bit. But knowing that God had created man in His image and likeness, his new objective was to undermine God in the heart of man and he succeeded with the temptation of Eve.
But as always, God being sovereign had a better plan and had before creation ordained that Jesus Christ will be the Saviour of mankind. So once again, for a second time, the devil’s plans failed woefully. But being of a cunning spirit, he sought another agenda and which I have captured in my own words
“It is obvious God is beyond me as I can never know what He has planned but since I can’t fight my Creator, I must work on a much easier plan on the created. After all, I did succeed with tempting Eve and look at the havoc I caused – sin came into this beautiful creation. So I am going to undermine Jesus Christ, the only last option left for man to be rescued from my clutches. I will use all manner of deceptive schemes and even tempt these Christians. I am the master of grand deception”
That agenda is the influences of the devil that are playing out today across board in all facets of life – seeking to denigrate the name of Jesus Christ in every aspect of life. That is why we must contend for that name. The spirit of the antichrist is not just in spiritual forms but in everything. Remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life. Therefore, anything that does not conform to Him is of the antichrist. Take a look at our society today, laws are being made that offend creation; entertainment is upholding the sin of lust, sex and abnormalities of all types; religions are worshipping the created instead of the Creator; justice is being peddled to the highest bidder and the rights of people are trampled each day.
Every facet of life from governance, business, marriage to the church is under attack from the spirit of the antichrist. In essence, everything is being done to undermine the person of Jesus Christ more than anyone or anything on this earth. This can be seen from rude jokes, TV shows, books, music (lyrics), films, artworks, laws and just about anything they can think up with a mind that is blinded to the truth.
To give you an indication of this was the incident of a political issue when President Barack Obama chose Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation prayer at his inauguration. There was so much uproar and debate against his choice because they knew that Pastor Rick will uphold the Name of Jesus Christ in prayer. They wanted him to make a compromise and pray in a general form but he said no and stood his ground that he will not quit on his faith. That was exactly what took place on that day as he prayed upholding the Name of Jesus Christ.
So what is our role in dealing with this antichrist spirit? We are called to advocate, defend and create awareness about the name of Jesus Christ boldly at all times and everywhere and not just in the confines of our homes and Christian circles. We have the best Name to be proud of any day both here and eternally. Many of us seem to shy away from calling Jesus Christ in non spiritual conversations.
I was corrected by the Holy Spirit who enlightened me that when we call God instead of Jesus Christ in a world where everyone is using that same term and also believe that we are all of a common faith, we erase our uniqueness. Of course we know that we are not the same but the goal is to get the world to come to the LIGHT (CHRIST). How can they make that transition if they erroneously believe that we share a universal faith in God?
It is disheartening to note that Christians use the name of Jesus Christ less than other names. It is so easy to call the names of Microsoft, Apple, Face book and even names of people they admire in their conversations than Christ. Again, nothing wrong with that but we should do even better with the One who is the guarantor of our salvation.
What defines us is JESUS CHRIST. Without Him, we are just like the rest of the world. Bill Gates defines Microsoft as Steve Jobs does with Apple. When we call these two men, what comes to mind are their companies. It is therefore strange if we are not defined by our relationship with CHRIST and others feel we are of the same spiritual lineage. Upholding Christ is not just in name but also by our deeds but the latter is not the subject of this teaching.
How can we do this? Simply relate our spiritual experiences to the name of Jesus Christ and not just in a general form of God in our conversations most especially in non Christian circles. Remember the goal is let those who are on the outside recognise who is behind those amazing encounters except we believe that they are not attributable to HIM. We must be specific with His name. Too much of generalisation is conformity to the world.
Frankly, God is not happy with us. I do not know if it is the fear of being labelled a fanatic that is the issue. Well, I am very proud to be called one because I am a good fanatic of THE TRUTH, THE WAY AND LIFE. Nothing can ever beat that. It is worrisome to hear testimonies of how Christ gave people, a word that promoted them in different aspects of their life in Church but listen to the same people amongst his non Christian friends and not a mention of Christ. Rather, they will claim it was a brilliant thought they had. Do we tell them of the multitude of times the name of Christ saved us?
Where is the opportunity for these people to know the LIGHT as we have? Evangelism is not only in throwing the fear of heaven and hell at people and sermonising on their sinful ways. That may work with some but not everyone. People are hurting and need help and to know that the name of JESUS CHRIST can help them from our testimonies is also evangelism too. In fact for them, that is the key to bring them in. We are of faith but they are of fact.
We need to repent of such an attitude. I have repented of mine and with the help of grace, I am improving on this. We should never be ashamed to call the name of Jesus Christ at all occasions and most especially in secular environments. Here is well known testimony about the Name
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the earth and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2.9-11NKJV (emphasis mine)
Calling the name of Jesus is not just a matter of semantics. It is a spiritual issue for that is the ONLY NAME that by which the devil was defeated. The name that causes him to tremble and bow in fear. That is why he instigates the lack of its use in an aggressive form. He is always in constant fear of hearing the mention of the Name for it is all powerful and reinforces our faith in CHRIST and keeps us protected.
The spirit of the antichrist is against the anointing of God upon the life of a Christian. Remember, it is by this Anointing that all forms of bondage are broken for us and others. This keeps us in the liberty of Christ to continue to function victoriously in our lives. Therefore, we must be in the spirit of the Anointing on our lips, in our thoughts and by our acts. That is how we continually uphold the name of Jesus Christ and defeat the operations of the antichrist in our environment and lives.
