Copyright 2009 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Romans 1:3-6 says, [The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly [a]designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations, And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.
The Lord cherishes His name. Sometimes, when I think about how much integrity and love the Lord has inside Him, I am completely overwhelmed. He believes so assuredly in His word that He is not willing to allow a single thing that He has prophesied to fall to the ground. How phenomenal is this?
Throughout the Old and New Covenants, he constantly reminds us that he gives us grace and mercy for His "name's sake." In other words, He is standing behind HIS WORD. He is standing behind HIS SON. He is standing behind every sacrifice and judgment He has made toward men through His Word.
The Lord's integrity is infallible, and some how… He seeks to instill this SAME type of integrity in us. The revelation our Father gave his son Solomon is so profound. In Proverbs 22:1 Solomon wrote:
"A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
The wisdom of God tells us that our "reputation" is to be coveted. It tells us that we must not let our good be evil spoken of. It tells us that we should never put ourselves in situations in which even the "appearance" of evil is suggested. Why? Because He wants us to desire a "good name" — a life of integrity, justice and truth.
In Ecclesiastes 7:1 Solomon wrote:
"A good name is better than fine perfume,
and the day of death better than the day of birth."
I am reminded of the one time in Genesis 6:6-7 when the Lord said, "The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." Later in the scriptures, the Lord God cries out that he "REGRETTED" making Saul king.
Have you ever considered that God feels rejected and that His heart has experienced great loss? Too many times it's about us and our needs. True love requires the sacrifice of self — which the Father clearly shows and extends freely.
YET, in the midst of all the hell MANKIND has caused HIM, He is continuously faithful to His Word concerning us. He even ALLOWS us to choose our own destiny — Heaven or hell. He doesn't even choose that for us. AND He has sworn to stand in this faithfulness for HIS NAME'S SAKE. I pray that you are understanding what the SPIRIT OF THE LORD is saying to HIS PEOPLE.
We must begin to consider GOD'S PERSPECTIVE on things. We must think of the depth of HIS LOVE for us every time we move or breath. You see, your books and every other aspect of your ministry must exemplify HIS NAME. It grieves the SPIRIT to have the images of God on earth CURSING HIS NAME…. by creating a NAME that is contrary to His will for us.
The Lord God is a man of HONOR and PRINCIPLE and CHARACTER. He is a man of COVENANTS AND VOWS. Every single time He has come to our rescue through angels, people of God, dreams, visions, sermons, prophetic words, miracles, signs and wonders or even through answered prayers …. He's come for name's sake. He's come so that His word may be evidence in our lives, proof of His promises.
Psalm 106:8
"Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known."
Psalm 23:3
"…he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
When, my brothers and sisters, will we begin to do things for HIS NAME'S SAKE. When will we protect our "good names" for HIS GLORY… that His mighty power may be made known. What about ABBA? What about YESHUA? What about the HOLY SPIRIT?
We have a duty and a responsibility to exemplify HIS NAME.
