In Jesus' Name

We must first realize that the concept of name in scripture involves much more than a tag that identifies that person and distinguishes him or her from other people.  And, although it does do that, it also has a much deeper meaning.  Name in scripture represents the very essence of the person.  A person’s personality, character, reputation and authority are all wrapped up in their name (Reagan, learnthebible.org).  That is why God’s name is so often exalted in scripture.  His name is a declaration of the greatness of His person (Reagan) (Ps 8:1; 103:1; 113:1-3; 148:13).  And since God’s name is excellent, we are to exalt it in our prayer, our praise, and in the act of offering ourselves as living sacrifices everyday (Reagan) (Ro 12:1).

We know that Jesus was God’s living word made flesh, so to do anything in Jesus’ name is to do so according to God’s word, which is the Holy Bible (Jn 1:1-2, 14).  The Holy Bible is the personality, character, reputation, essence, and authority of our Lord God.  When David fought and defeated Goliath he proceeded under the direction, power and authority of the ‘name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel’ who Goliath had defied.  David didn’t take Goliath’s head.  It was handed over by God (1 Sam 17:45-46)!  Although God’s word hadn’t yet been made flesh, David still had direction, power and authority based on the word of the Lord.   

But now, we can only come to God by Jesus (Jn 14:6).  We are accepted and become God’s children and heirs according to the name of Jesus (Eph 1:5-6; Ro 8:17).  Anything asked in line with Jesus’ name will be granted (Jn 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23, 26).  Again, this isn’t simply a prayer that mentions Jesus’ name but prayer in accordance with all that Jesus is –his personality and character.  It is a prayer aimed at carrying forward the work he did, a prayer that he would answer (Jn 14:13 NIV note).  (WARNING:  This is not a magical way to get your way with God!  Pray with sincerity of heart [Heb 10:22]!  Misuse or failure to honor the name of God is blasphemy!)              

It's All About Who You Know

I overheard a guy making this statement while whining about his job search woes at a bookstore last week, basically expressing doubt about the possibility of getting hired.  I still kind of regret missing the opportunity to speak life into his situation, but sometimes people have a spirit on them I just feel the need to run from.  I can’t bother with negativity sometimes.  But I couldn’t help but agree with what he said though.  It is all about who you know.  If you know God, he’ll know you. 

The Lord recognizes those who recognize his Son.  It’s only Jesus Christ who has the power to intercede for us (Ro 8:33-34).  Those who know God (both in word, and more importantly, in practice) will be recognized by him.  But if anyone is ashamed of him and his words, Jesus will be ashamed of him when he comes to the Father (Lk 9:26).  The Bible speaks of God’s regard for those who either acknowledge him, or not, in light of Judgment Day (Mt 10:32-33; Mk 8:38; Lk 12:9).  But I believe our lives are affected by that principal on earth as well.  Those who honor God will be honored, but those who despise him will be disdained (1 Sa 2:30).  Israel forgot God, so with divine correction, he punished them by selling them into the hand of their enemy (1 Sa 12:9; Heb 12:11).  For all of us who are familiar with Israel, they had a habit of doing this, as do many of us today: They failed to acknowledge God -in one way or another- and in his love, God disciplined Israel in order to restore them into good standing with him.  Surely, a person cannot expect to be treated any differently than they treat a just God. Yet, he continues to show us grace and mercy.  He remembers us when we’re in a bad place (Ps 136:23).  And I am thankful that he grants what’s not owed!  But we’re warned not to tempt him (Dt 6:16; Mt 4:7).     

It’s not only about who, but what we know.  By faith, through Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, we have power and authority on this earth to move mountains, and receive new jobs (Heb 11:1, Mt 28:18; Ac 1:8; Mt 17:20; 21:22)!  We have the ability to speak to a situation, and it must change Mk 11:23)!

The Power of (Intercessory) Prayer

Yesterday, my grandmother and I found ourselves vexed over two situations that we had no direct control over, situations that, if we approached them the wrong way (read hastily and without prayer) would affect them negatively.  With the one I’d brought to her, I admitted my first reaction was to act in ‘my own power’, but later realized that would not be the best way to approach it.  And with hers, she was almost rendered speechless, so she, in her wisdom said, “Let’s pray.”  We prayed that we would have the right words, life giving and life changing words, to affect the people involved, if that’s God’s will in these situations.  And we prayed that they yield to God’s word in those situations, and trust in them, as opposed to their own devices.

Although a word form an overseer, shepard, or pastor may be comforting, but the authority that the everyday believer has according to 1 Peter 2:4, that refers to us as a holy priesthood, and Revelation 1:5, where we’re called royalty are valid as well. 

Better yet, we have authority through the great intercessor, Christ, who ‘…is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them’ (Hebrews 7:25).  And because of that, we can ‘…approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16).  The prayers of a righteous person, or persons, are indeed powerful and effective (James 5:16). 

It’s the faith in God’s word that does it!  I love the account of the man in Matthew chapter eight who humbly declined Jesus’ offer to come to the man’s house and heal his servant.  Instead he replied, in faith, ‘…just say the word and servant will be healed’ (v.8).  ‘When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (v. 10) In verse 13 he tells the man, “…Go! It will be done just as you believed it would”.  And his servant was healed at that very hour.