Have you ever wanted to change your name? I always thought it would be fun to have a cool nickname, but I’ve never had one, and it’s apparently not appropriate to name yourself. I thought “Colonel” might be appropriate since my initials are KFC.
Some people have nicknames for a season. Others for their entire lives. I knew a man named “Case” for the better part of ten years before learning His real name was Cornelius.
Scripture records several places where God changes someone’s name.
No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. Genesis 17:5 ESV
Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 ESV
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). John 1:42 ESV
God doesn’t name them based on who they are, but rather on who they will become in Him. He speaks the new name over them, and they are changed.
I don’t know if you are aware, but God has given all believers a new name in glory.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:17 ESV
We might not know what it is yet, just as we don’t fully know who we are or will become in Christ. God knows. It’s a done deal in His world. It will be better than any name or nickname anyone else could ever give us.
Our new name isn’t based on who we were before coming to Jesus. It’s based on who God says we are in Him.
I understand why C. Austin Miles wrote his classic hymn “A New Name in Glory.” The chorus proclaims:
There’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, (And it’s mine,)
Oh yes, it’s mine! (yes, it’s mine!)
And the white-robed Angels sing the story,
“A sinner has come home.” (home, has come home.”
For there’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, (And it’s mine,)
Oh yes, it’s mine! (yes, it’s mine!)
With my sins forgiven, I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.
What a blessing a new name in glory ordained by God alone! It will be revealed to us in due course, and we will rejoice and give Him the glory.
Our names will be new to us, but God had them written for us before we were ever born. What a precious, loving gift!
Praise His name.
Kevin
SUMMARY
God gives every believer a new name, not based on who we were, but on who He says we are in Him. We may not know it yet, but He had it written for us before we were ever born.
TAKEAWAY
God doesn’t name you based on who you were. He names you for who you will become in Him, just as He did with Abram, Jacob, and Simon.
If you’re a believer, God has already given you a new name. It’s a done deal in His world.
Your new name was written for you before you were ever born, and it will be revealed in due course. When it comes, you’ll rejoice and give Him the glory.