What is in a name?

In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, “What’s in a name? … That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

She’s certainly right. The person we love is far more valuable than his or her name. Still, names are important. Names today don’t reveal much about us, but names in Bible times often did. Many times, in the Bible times people’s names would be changed or they were called by a different name to reflect their character. Today, most parents spend time selecting the “right” name for their newborn child. As believers, we are born into the image of Christ. Christian means Christ-like. Does our character match His name?

God has given us a new name. It’s his name.

Proverbs 22:1a says a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 a good name is better than precious ointment.

Live an upright life that will not tarnish our savior’s name.