1 John 3:1a
See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
Shortly after we moved from St. Louis to Texas five years ago, my son wore his Jim Edmonds jersey to school. The kids in his new third grade class did not know my son, nor did they know who Jim Edmonds was. One of the boys read the back of my son’s shirt and began to call my son Jim Edmonds. My son became friends with the little boy, but it took a long time before we could convince him that my son’s name was Joshua!
Names are important. They tell who we are and to whom we belong. Have you ever noticed how important names are in the Bible? Scripture records many instances in which people received new names when God called them. How exciting that must have been for them, but how exciting also for us that we too are given a new name in the Bible. In 1 John, God tells us that our new name is child of God. Through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, you and I are the beloved children of God.
To grasp what it means to be named child of God, we need to get a glimpse of the significance of God’s own name. Through Scripture, God reveals that His name is not a label, but a manifestation of who He is. God’s name is a power, a shelter, and a saving force. In His name, He spoke creation into being. In His name, death lost its power. In His name, morning breaks every day. New life springs forth miraculously in God’s name. The name of God protects – not just from the things that worry or frighten, but from the forces that can destroy or kill.
God has said it, so we can be assured it is true: He has unending power, and He lavishes, or gives without limit, His perfect love to His children. Why, then, do I choose to face trials alone? Why do I doubt or wrestle with uncertainty? Why do I stumble over obstacles or think that God’s gifts to me are fleeting or temporary? Why am I fooled into thinking that His attention or provision may run out?
Instead, because He has revealed who He is, I need to trust in that love that is lavished upon me. I cannot help but worship and praise that holy name. I must ask Him to take control of the areas of my life where I trust in the power of my own name. I will ask Him to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus on Him. I will ask Him to give the gifts He is so willing to give to me, His beloved: peace, patience, strength, wisdom, perseverance, trust. And you can do these things too, because you are His precious child. He loves you without limit.
Heavenly Father, how amazing it is that we are Your children. You love us with a perfect father’s love. There is not a moment when we are not on Your mind. Help us to remember that we are loved with this kind of love. Open our eyes to see Your love, and then open our hearts and our entire beings to fully and peacefully trust in You for every need. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.
