Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has part that says “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
While that is a nice sentiment, it is wrong. The Bible has a lot to say about a name.
Proverbs 22:1- A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
People think long and hard about what to name their children. There's books written of nothing but names for you to think over when choosing one.
Some names bring a smile to our faces. Others can put fear and dread in our hearts. A name is a very personal thing and there are memories associated with it.
Ecclesiastes 7:1- A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
There are some people who argue that you should pray in the name of Yahweh. There are other people who think it should be Jehovah.
The problem with both of these is that you're going backwards. With Yahweh, you're running to some old Hebrew, and with Jehovah you're running to the Old Testament.
The Lord God Almighty took steps to reveal Himself to His people. And then later, He sent His apostles to reveal Himself to the world. And what was the name they spoke? JESUS!
Luke 24:46-47- And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Christ died for your sins. He was buried, and rose again the third day. And the only way you will get remission of your sins is if you come to Him through this sacrifice. This message is preached in HIS NAME.
Romans 10:13- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you call upon the Lord and ask Him to save you He will. But you must call on HIS NAME.
It's a powerful name. It's a beautiful name. It's a name above all names. It's the name of JESUS.
Philippians 2:9-11- Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Man won't be the only one kneeling and confessing the name of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:17.19,21- That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
His name is above every name, not only in this present world, but also in the new heavens and the new earth that is to come.
Hebrews 1:1-4- God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
His name is above everything in heaven and earth! So, why I would find something else to call Him? Why would I choose a different name to pray by when I have the most powerful name in all the universe that I can use to boldly enter God's throne room and make my petitions?
I John 3:23- And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
It's a commandment from God that we believe on the name of Jesus Christ. No other name will do.
When you stand before God there is one name that He will insist comes out of your lips- JESUS.
You call on this name right now to find grace, mercy, help, whatever you need.
Psalms 8:9- O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
