Honouring the Name of Jesus

“Continually all the day my name is despised.”

Isaiah 52:5

Isaiah the prophet was given an insight into the heart of God when he heard God’s anguished cry over the abuse of His name.

That’s the tragedy of our world. But God has an answer: “Therefore my people shall know my name” (52:6). Those who know and love the Lord are the guardians of His reputation on earth.

Honouring the Lord’s name is our highest calling. Christ will be honoured when the world sees a community of people who show awe and reverence for Him. That means growing in humility. We cannot draw attention to the greatness of God and to our own gifts or achievements at the same time.

Our calling is not to pretend that we have all the answers to life’s mysteries. We don’t. The secret things belong to the Lord; only the revealed things belong to us (Deut. 29:29). So, let’s not discredit the gospel by claiming more than God has promised or by declaring less than He has revealed.

Our calling is to share what God has given us in Christ and to invite people to the Scriptures, where they can consider the claims and the evidence of Jesus.

In this world, where God’s name is blasphemed every day, God is gathering communities of believers who love and worship the name of Jesus. As you grasp His love for you more deeply, you will grow in your love for Him. That will shape the way that you speak about Him, and people will begin to see that He is so much more than a name to you.

Can you think of a time when you heard a Christian speak about Jesus in a special way that intrigued or surprised you?