We Have a Good Name in Jesus

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22: 1)

In this proverb, we read about the importance of a good name.

People can have money, but money taken by stealth or fraud will not gain one very much in this world.

Just like a man with rare gems, yet stolen gems, will not be able to show them or sell them, for fear of getting caught, so too wealth stolen by guile or outright theft does not benefit a man in the long term.

With a good name, a man will find doors open to him, opportunities made available to him.

Today, we have a good name because of Jesus:

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1: 21)

Jesus means "Savior", and He wants to be a Savior in every aspect of our lives:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)

and

"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)

By the name of Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2: 38)

By His name, we become sons of God:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1: 12)

In fact, God sees us as one with His Son:

"22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 22-23)

and of course:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Through His name, our prayers our answered:

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14: 13)

Through His name, we have life:

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20: 31)

By His name, we have healing:

"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3: 16)

Through His name, we have authority over evil spirits:

"And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." (Acts 16: 18)

For the believer today, we have a good name in Jesus, not a name which we gained from our parents, or which we earned through our upbringing or efforts, but by the grace of God demonstrated for us at the Cross, at the Resurrection, and today through Jesus' ministry today on our behalf.

This name, bought and paid for through His blood, grants to us favor beyond anything that gold and silver can buy:

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1: 17-21)

Notice that Peter talks about how we can pray to our Father in heaven. Why? Because of the name of Jesus, through whom we receive this blessed, eternal favor.

Hallelujah!