GOD'S LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Paul encouraged the believers of Ephesus to be worthy of that name. He wrote “I . . . beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” Ephesians 4:1. The Greek word beseech has several meanings. It’s the word for ‘comfort” and often carries the idea of listening with empathy. However, the word is also used for “exhortation” in living up to God’s high calling. The twin challenges of care and exhortation are great catalysts for spiritual growth.

Believers who have been saved by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ have a spiritual family name. We are called “Christians.”

In the New Testament, the name Christian was first given to the disciples in Antioch by those who noted their behavior (Acts 11:26). Two things defined these early believers. They talked about the good news of the Lord Jesus everywhere they went. And they eagerly learned the Scriptures as Barnabas and Saul taught them for a whole year.

The name Christian means an “adherent to Christ” literally, one who “sticks” to Christ. Today many people call themselves Christians. But should they?

If you call yourself a Christian, does your life tell others who Jesus is? Are you hungry for God’s Word? Do your actions bring honor or shame to Christ’s name?

What’s in a name? When the name is Christian, there is much indeed!

As far back as the beginning of Creation, names were important. When God created the animals they were not named, it was Adam who was given the privilege to name them. He also named his wife Eve.

Names had meaning and significance and were to be honored, like God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament a childs name was to carry him through life, and sometimes that name was his ruin. We see that today in how many parents name their children outlandish and awful names that will follow them all their lives. Our names show our character, what we are made of, who we are. Joshua, Gideon, Jesus, John were all strong names in the Bible, good names and they lived up to those names. Samson is a strong name but look what happened to him in which you can read in Judges chapters 13-16. He took his eyes off God and things started going bad for him until he repented.

You can read about Gideon in Judges chapters 6-8. These were strong people in character and resolve to live for God and do His will. They were not perfect and they did stumble, but had wisdom enough to turn to God for help.

We need to be mindful of our names and not bring them to shame. We are a reflection on all we come across and if our characters dont match our names, we then have a problem. Like Samson, a strong name that meant "One who serves God". And he did, but when astray after the daughter of the Philistines and thats when the trouble for Samson began, his name became a shame to his people.

The name Gideon has the meaning of  "A cutter of trees" or One who makes fall, or hewer, to make fall". His name fit as he made many enemies fall in battle.

So you can see just a few examples of the importance of names.

There is another name that has importance and is in jeapordy, the Seventh Day Adventist name. Do some of those who claim to be SDA have the right to call themselves that? Are they bringing honor to Jesus or shame? Are their actions of following apostasy bringing others into that same apostasy and influencing others to be led astray? Many people are ashamed to use the SDA name because they feel it has been tainted and polluted by those who have misused it and abused it. They want to be called and considered SDA because it was a name that God gave them. Man does not have the right to claim a name and prohibit others from using it when it was given by God. Only God can say who should have the name. We should not be ashamed as Sister White states in calling ourselves SDA.

Here is an example that was given to me: The world is not happy with Americans at times and we get a bad name because of those that pollute and misuse the name American. There are many good Americans who try their best to live up to the name and to show the world we are not like the other Americans who make it shameful to be called one. So it is with the SDA. Because of the few who pollute it, the good ones are lumped in with the bad. It is then that we should stand up and proclaim that we are not associated with those SDA that pollute and go against God and that God gave us the name to use and to honor and in doing so we honor God.

Sister White has a bit to say regarding the SDA name, here is what she has to say:

Chap. 49 - A Distinctive Name and People
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              Not Ashamed of Our Name

     We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, "No, no! We are not. It is the name the Lord has given us. It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches."--Letter 110, 1902. {2SM 384.1}

     We are Seventh-day Adventists, and of this name we are never to be ashamed. As a people we must take a firm stand for truth and righteousness. Thus we shall glorify God. We are to be delivered from dangers, not ensnared and corrupted by them. That this may be, we must look ever to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. -- Letter 106, 1903. {2SM 384.2}

               Our Distinctive Sign

     The banner of the third angel has inscribed upon it, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Our institutions have taken a name which sets forth the character of our faith, and of this name we are never to be ashamed. I have been shown that this name means much, and in adopting it we have followed the light given us from heaven. . . . The Sabbath is God's memorial of His creative work, and it is a sign that is to be kept before the world. {2SM 384.3}

     There is to be no compromise with those who are worshiping an idol sabbath. We are not to spend our time in controversy with those who know the truth, and upon whom the light of truth has been shining, when they turn away their ear from the truth to turn to fables. I was told that men will employ every policy to make less prominent the difference between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who observe the first day of the week. In this controversy the whole world will be engaged, and the time is short. This is no time to haul down our colors. {2SM 385.1}

     A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of probation. In describing the remnant people of God, John says, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12). This is the law and the gospel. The world and the churches are uniting in harmony in transgressing the law of God, in tearing away God's memorial, and in exalting a sabbath that bears the signature of the man of sin. But the Sabbath of the Lord thy God is to be a sign to show the difference between the obedient and the disobedient. I saw some reaching out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its significance. . . . {2SM 385.2}

     When the people accept and exalt a spurious sabbath, and turn souls away from obedience and loyalty to God, they will reach the point that was reached by the people in the days of Christ. . . . Shall anyone then choose to hide his banner, to relax his devotion? Shall the people whom God has honored and blessed and prospered, refuse to bear testimony in behalf of God's memorial at the very time when such a testimony should be borne? Shall not the commandments of God be more highly esteemed when men pour contempt upon the law of God?--Manuscript 15, 1896. {2SM 385.3}