“From Simon to Peter” (John 1:35-42)

“From Simon to Peter” (John 1:35-42)

- I Will Change Your Name IV –

Who Is Simon Peter?

In many people’s hearts Billy Graham takes a special place. He is a man of God, man of integrity. His wife, Ruth Graham, was once asked whether, as a Christian, she did ever think about divorce. She said, “No, I’ve never thought of divorce in all these 35 years of marriage,” but she said, “I did think of murder a few times.” I think she gave a witty and insightful answer. Normally, we tend to think spiritual giants in the Bible and church history must be different from the beginning. But in fact, to begin with, they were just common men and women. But, God called each of them out of weakness and walked along with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun (Rom 8:30). This morning we will explore the life of Simon Peter, how God transformed a man of inconsistency into the man who is solid and steady like a rock.

We see so much of ourselves in Peter. Peter was a common man. He is full of inconstancies. He struggles between faith and doubt, between the higher and the lower nature, between the carnal man and the spiritual man. At one time Peter was the first to boldly get out of the boat and walk on water, but in a few second, he was terrified by the strong wind and sank. Peter was the first to confess the divine nature of Jesus. He boldly said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But, in a few minutes, he rebuked Jesus when Jesus began to explain that he must suffer and die. Peter was the first to draw a sword to defend his Master, but within a few hours, he denied his Lord three times.

Peter is not always like this. As you know, in the New Testament there are two letters written by Peter. They were written about thirty years after these earlier events of his life. In the letters Peter is solid and steady like a rock. He is no longer easily moved. He does not fluctuate. Even in the midst of severe persecution he stands firm and takes up his positions and writes the messages of encouragement to his fellow believers. In 1 Peter 4:12-13, he says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Simon Peter has matured. He is no longer a man of many moods. Peter is the conqueror of inconsistency.

The “Love” of Christ

So what happened to Peter? It certainly was not an accident. There are two important factors transforming Peter’s life – one is love and the other is power. First of all, the love of Christ touched Peter’s heart and made him whole. Jesus always found the potentially good things in Peter and encouraged him. It was the first time they met each other when Andrew brought Simon Peter to meet Jesus. As soon as Jesus saw Peter, the first thing he said was this: “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”; the names Cephas (from Aramaic) and Peter (from Greek) both mean “rock.”) Jesus was saying, “Simon, you are a man of inconsistency now, but I know you will be a man like a rock!” When Jesus had the last supper with his disciples, he knew within a few hours all of the disciples would abandon him, including Peter. But Jesus prayed for Peter and gave him a mission. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus was still saying, “Simon, you will be a man like a rock.” After the resurrection Peter goes back to his old life. But Jesus comes to him and asks the same question three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” When Peter says, “Yes,” Jesus reinstates Peter and says. “When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). Jesus is saying, “Simon, you will be a man like a rock. You will live for me. You will die for me.” The love of Christ compels Peter, and eventually he becomes a man like a rock!

I find myself in Peter’s story. I began to sense God’s call to ministry when I was a senior in college. But I was hesitant to answer his call mainly because of two things – one is slow of speech, and the other is lack of sociability. I always thought pastors must be an eloquent speaker and sociable person. But I was and I am not that kind of person. I used to be nervous and be rambling even before my parents when I shared my testimony during a family devotional time. By nature, I am a quiet person. I found it difficult to make friends and always felt like an outsider. But Christ’s love was compelling. So I answered his call. But even after that, I still felt unqualified. While I was in seminary, I preached twice a week. Although I worked hard for sermon preparation, most of the time I felt dissatisfied with myself. One week I messed up the message. I was seriously considering quitting the preaching ministry. I was so discouraged. One afternoon my wife and I were taking a walk on seminary campus, and we met one couple on the way. I knew of them, but I didn’t know them personally. The couple approached us, and his wife said to me, “I don’t know you well. But, I think I have to tell this. Usually, I don’t dream while sleeping. But, the other day I dreamt. In my dream God showed you and told me about you. He said, “He is little, but he is my mighty warrior.” That was great encouragement. I was able to stand up again. You may feel unqualified. You may be dissatisfied with where you are and who you are. But today God says to each one of us in this room, “You are Peter,” “You will lead many to Christ and strengthen the church,” “You will live for me and die for me!” Christ’s love transforms us.

The “Power” of the Holy Spirit

The second phase of Peter’s transformation came at Pentecost. This meant “power.” On the day of Pentecost the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They became different persons. Look Peter after Pentecost! He was scared to death to acknowledge Jesus in front of people, but now in the midst of a mocking mob he stands up and speaks out with boldness. He says, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Then he continues, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” After this, Peter is arrested, and the Jewish leaders give threats to him. But he says to them, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Pentecost completed Peter’s transformation.

Tim Hansel, Christian writer, once met his old friend for the first time in 10 years. He was very impressed by how his friend was wonderfully changed. She was a Christian 10 years ago, but now she was something different. She was filled with joy and confidence. So Tim couldn’t help asking, “Can you tell me what happened?” And she answered, “Sure, in the past every time I repeated my sins, I cursed myself and was tormented by guilt. But, while I was reading the Epistle to the Romans, I realized the truth that I am a sinner, and there is nothing good in me. From that moment, whenever I committed a sin, I just confessed my weakness and kept going. But, there is more! I realized that if I do something good, it is not from me, but from the Holy Spirit within me. And now I live for the joy of watching how the Holy Spirit works in my life.” Tim concluded as follows, “My friend has changed not from bad to good, but from good to wonderful Christian. She was a moral Christian before, but now she is a contagious Christian on fire.”

Designed for Conquest

We can’t change our hearts. No one can change our hearts, but only God can do it by his love and by his power. The road of transformation is a life-long journey. The other day I felt skeptical about working as a pastor. What made me discouraged the most was my chronic weakness. I expected that once I started a ministry God might take away my weakness. But it didn’t happen. I find it is always there with me. That morning I received a Rhema word from God. It was 2 Corinthians 12:9. I found there was at least one more person who felt the same way. It was Paul. He begged God to take away his weakness three times, but God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s power works best, not “in spite of” our weakness, but “in” our weakness. Max Lucado defines God’s grace in these words, "Grace is simply another word for God's tumbling, rumbling reservoir of strength and protection. It comes at us not occasionally or miserly but constantly and aggressively, wave upon wave.” God’s grace is like an ocean wave which constantly crashes against the beach. No sooner does one wave crash into the sand than another appears. Then another, then another. Before we finish saying, “Lord, I fell again,” the huge wave of God’s love sweeps into us. Before we finish saying, “Lord, I am weak. I am unqualified,” another massive wave of God’s power just sweeps over us. Are you struggling between faith and doubt, between ups and downs? Then, remember Simon Peter. The One who began a good work in Peter and brought it to a glorious finish is here with us today. So let us come to him and remain in his love. Let us constantly ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Even at this very moment God is shaping us, and in his time he will make us whole! Amen.

“From Mara to Naomi” (Ruth 4:13-17)

“From Mara to Naomi” (Ruth 4:13-17)

- I Will Change Your Name III –

“God, Where Are You?”

In August 2007 TIME magazine had an amazing cover story titled “Mother Teresa’s Crisis of Faith.” Mother Teresa’s secret letters were made public by her mentor and colleagues. The letters show that she spent almost 50 years without sensing the presence of God in her life. In one of the letters that she exchanged with her mentor, Rev. Michael Van Der Peet, she says, “Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear…” Apparently, Mother Teresa was experiencing a crisis of faith more than 50 years, and during that time she felt the "dryness," "darkness," "loneliness" and “emptiness.” In more than 40 communications, she compares the experience to hell, and at one point she says it has driven her to doubt the existence of heaven and even of God. This is shocking. The 20th century's most visible icon of faith had a crisis of faith for over 50 years? Many of us tend to think if we are faithful to God, we will be blessed and prosperous in everything. But in fact, church history is filled with saints who experienced the "dark night of the soul.” That is not only in church history. Today in many areas of our lives we experience the silence of God. In Israeli-Palestinian crisis, in West Africa’s Ebola crisis, in Iraq crisis God seems silent. When we suffer in our daily lives, God seems silent. And we ask, “God, where are you?”

When God Seems Silent

In today’s scripture we meet one woman who was undergoing a crisis of faith. There is a saying “it never rains, but it pours.” It would be hard to find better words to describe her situation than this saying. Her name is Naomi. She is a godly woman and always has been faithful to God and to people. But, she is experiencing all kinds of hardships. First, she is suffering from financial difficulties. There was a severe famine in her hometown, Bethlehem, so her entire family was forced to leave their homeland. Then, shortly after, Naomi’s husband dies. And within 10 years to make things worse, her two married sons died without any children. That also means her two daughter-in-laws seem to be barren. Now Naomi is left without either her two sons or her husband. After this, she comes back home. When she arrives in Bethlehem, the whole town is excited by her arrival. They say, “Is this really Naomi?” And Naomi replies, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Naomi means “pleasant,” and Mara means “bitter.” After all these hardships Naomi becomes a bitter woman. And now she says to God with bitter complaint, “God, where are you?”

God Is at Work

In the Book of Ruth it is hard to find the presence of God. It is even hard to find the word “God.” God seems silent. God seems far away. But in fact, the Book of Ruth is full of the presence of God who is at work behind the scenes diligently and strategically. Before Naomi appears on the scene, even before she is aware there is something here for her to do, God has been working without rest. Not only is God at work behind the scenes, but also he sustains her by giving the signs of his grace in her daily life. The first sign of God’s grace is the gift of Ruth. God sends “Ruth,” godly daughter-in-law, into Naomi’s life. Ruth cleaves to Naomi and follows her everywhere. When Naomi sets out to her homeland, she tries to send Ruth back to Moab. But Ruth says to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried…” Later, the people in the town of Bethlehem evaluate Ruth in this way, “Ruth loves Naomi and is better to her than seven sons” (4:15). The second sign of God’s grace is the preservation of Boaz. Although Naomi comes back home with Ruth, she is still helpless and hopeless. But God already preserves Boaz, Naomi’s close relative, and opens his heart to provide food for her, to redeem her property and to marry her daughter-in-law Ruth as a kinsman-redeemer (cf. Lev 25). The third sign of God’s grace is the opening of Ruth’ womb. Although Ruth gets married to Boaz, there is still a cloud overhead. Ruth is barren. She had been married ten years to Mahlon and there were no children (1:4). But God opens Ruth’s womb and gives her a child. The Bible says, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Co 10:13) The story of Naomi was written to help us to trust God even when the clouds are so thick that we cannot see the sun. Her story reminds us the sun is always shining above the thick clouds.

For me, personally, I am experiencing God at work behind the scenes through my visa renewal process. Because I am not a US citizen, every time I am appointed to new parish, I have to renew my visa. That process is not simple at all. It takes a lot of time, energy, and money. Two years ago I hired a lawyer, but for this time I couldn’t afford it. I decided I had to do it myself. I began the process as soon as my new appointment was confirmed in March. I referred to all the documents that the attorney had filed last time and collected all required documents from the conference, the district, the seminary, and three different churches. Finally, I submitted all the documents in April. However, Homeland Security Department requested more evidence at the end of July. For more than a month I had to repeat the same procedure to gather additional information. Until my visa is renewed, I am not able to get paid. It’s still in process. During this time God seemed silent. He didn’t seem to be at work. So at first, I was so frustrated, exhausted, lonely, and even angry with God. But as time went by, I was able to see the signs of his grace in every area of my life. When my family and I felt exhausted, just in time God sent his angels to comfort us in unexpected ways. We had two surprise visits from the previous congregation. Without knowing what was going on, they spared no effort to make a trip from MA. Some family members from our church stopped by and shared their fresh fruit and vegetables with my family. Others sent cards with encouraging words and gift anonymously. At first, I complained, “God, where are you in this situation?” But later, I saw the signs of his grace everywhere. God was at work indeed. God did not deliver me from my distress. Instead, he participated in my distress, accompanied me, and sustained me through this journey.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Corrie Ten Boom was a faithful servant of God. She was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp along with her father and sister for hiding Jews in their home. Her father and sister both died in prison. For many years Corrie struggled with why God had allowed this tragedy in her life. God gave her an answer while she was touring one castle in Europe. In the castle there was a massive tapestry. At first, Corrie could only see the underside of the tapestry, not the front. The underside was a mess. But later, when workers in the castle moved the tapestry to its proper place, Corrie was able to see its upper side. The tapestry was a glorious picture of mountains, meadows, cathedrals and castles. Then, she realized that the events of this life are like the tangled, confused dark threads of the tapestry. They never seem to make sense. But, in heaven, we will see the upper side of the tapestry. Corrie always said, “Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown.”

As you know, life is one curve after another. And we never know what's coming next. But the point of the story of Naomi is that the best is yet to come. No matter where you are, God is faithful, and he is at work without rest. No matter where you are if you love God, if you cleave to God, the best is yet to come. The story begins with Naomi’s loss, but the story ends with Naomi’s gain. In verse 17 the story ends in this way: “The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” The story points forward to David. David points forward to Jesus. The life of Naomi is all connected to part of redemptive history, eternity, something so much bigger than herself. When we follow God faithfully, our lives always mean more than we think they do. Everything we do in obedience to God, no matter how small, is all connected to part of God’s wonderful works. Surely the day will come when we will see how God, the Weaver, has woven the dark threads of this life into something beautiful. Our life may not be necessarily a highway to glory, but we will surely get there. And the best is yet to come!

“From Jacob to Israel” (Gen 32:22-32)

“From Jacob to Israel” (Gen 32:22-32)

- I Will Change Your Name II -

“Somebody,” “Nobody,” and “God’s Body”

D.L. Moody gives a powerful synopsis of Moses’ life in just one sentence. As you know, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s court, but after he killed the Egyptian, Moses had to flee Egypt. It was only after many more years that God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Here’s What Moody said about Moses:

Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was “somebody.” He spent his second forty years learning he was “nobody.” He spent his third forty years discovering “what God can do with a nobody.”

Not only does this life synopsis apply to Moses, but also it does apply equally to all other biblical characters and all of us in this room. Last week we learned how God changed Abram into Abraham and why it was important. This morning we will explore the second name change story in the Bible, that is, the story of how God changed Jacob- the deceiver, into Israel- the man of God.

From “Somebody” to “Nobody”

In every life there comes a time when it must be “alone” – alone only with God. Genesis 32:24 says “So Jacob was left alone…” Jacob was now facing the greatest challenge of his life. His relationship with his uncle Laban had been broken after 20 years, and now his older brother Esau was already on his way to meet him with his four hundred men. Jacob was surrounded on every side by troubles. But, we must remember it is God who allowed Jacob to go through those trials and tribulations. In Gen 31:3 the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” So Jacob followed God’s instruction, but on the way back home he fell in trouble. He had to face Esau. Then, we may ask, “Why does a loving God allow trials in our lives?” When God allows trials in our lives, there is a clear message in it. The message is, “Come to me! Seek my face! Cry out to me!” Our trials and tribulations are God’s megaphone and Heaven’s loudspeaker. But it is our choice whether we properly respond to God’s calling or not. God gives every person a chance to respond. Jacob’s brother Esau made a bad choice. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn and has turn to his own way. In times of trouble he had never come to the Lord. Jacob was the same. There was nothing good in him. But there was one difference between the two. Jacob believed in God and his promises. So in times of trouble he chose to come to the Lord and to pour out his heart before him. Jacob wrestled with God until receiving God’s blessings. In Psalm 50:15, the Lord says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Are you facing the challenge of your life? Choose to come to the Lord and pour out your heart like water before him, and he will answer you and deliver you!

On Being a “Nobody”

As we read today’s scripture, the following question can be raised. When Jacob came to the Lord and cried out to him, why did God wrestle with Jacob, instead of delivering him out of trouble? Why did God wrestle with Jacob and cripple him before blessing him? It is because God must cripple self-sufficient Jacob in order to bless him. Jacob was a self-sufficient person. He was a self-confident person. He was very skilled, diplomatic and crafty. He deceived his older brother Esau twice in order to take his birthright from him. At Laban’s house Jacob and Laban deceived each other, and finally Jacob has gained all wealth from his uncle. He had always had a good result when he helped himself, but here at the Jabbok River Jacob was helpless. God had to wrestle with Jacob because he wanted Jacob to realize how weak he was before God. God had to cripple Jacob’s self-sufficiency, that Jacob might know he was nobody before God. God’s best blessings can come only after we find who we are in God. A friend of mine used to work for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). I was impressed by how they introduced themselves. In the meeting there are several different people who are in the different stages of addiction. Some are serious, and others are not. But every member must introduce themselves in the same way: “Hello, everyone. My name is Victor, and I am an alcoholic.” There is no exception. Even though I quit drinking a long time ago, still I have to introduce myself. “My name is Victor, and I am an alcoholic.” The first step to breaking away from addiction is to confess, “I am addicted.” In the same way, the first step to being delivered from trials and receiving God’s blessings is to confess, “Lord, I am weak. I am nobody.”  

As I was mediating on today’s Scripture, one incident came to my mind. When I was in Korea, I used to serve the young adult group as a student president. At the time, the young adult group was spiritually stagnant. Most of them were not interested in spiritual meetings or worship service. I was passionate and wanted to freshen up the atmosphere. I shared my vision with the members. It was “12/120/300/3000.” The point was, “Now we have only 12 members, but we will have 120 disciples, then 300 prayer warriors, and then we will lead 3000 young adults to Christ!” It was a beautiful vision statement. I was pleased with myself. I had good feedback from the members, and even it seemed biblical. I was self-confident. But, the thing is that that vision was not from God. It was from my own passion and ambition. I started various programs, activities, and campaigns. But, as time went by, I became more and more resentful and frustrated. I said to myself, “Why must I do all this by myself?” “Why don’t the members recognize me and follow me?” As a result, when I finished my service term, that vision came to nothing. The young adult group did not experience transformation at all, and I got spiritually bankrupt. It was a painful but necessary experience. It was my Jobbok River. I found who I was. I was nobody.

From “Nobody” to “God’s body”

But the story does not end here. God gave Jacob a new name, “Israel,” which means “God fights.” It can be translated into several ways. But in essence, the Lord was saying that Jacob would have victory because God would fight for him. Jacob has always lived as a blessing-catcher. He has always lived to please God and to receive his blessings with his own strength. But in fact, God already decided to bless Jacob even before he was born. In Gen 25:23 the Lord said to Rebekah, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." Jacob was blessed from the beginning, and he didn’t need to use his physical strength or craftiness to receive God’s blessings. At the Jabbok River Jacob found that the greatest blessing was not to be delivered from trials and tribulations. The greatest blessing was to meet God face to face in the midst of it. It was to experience the Immanuel God who accompanied him from the beginning, who sustained him, and who gave him perseverance and strength to face the challenge of his life. So he called the place “Peniel,” which means, “face of God.” Jacob still had his problems. Esau was still on the way to meet him. But, Jacob became a different person. He became God’s body. And now he was able to meet Esau, because he met the God of Immanuel face to face.

From “Jabbok” to “Peniel”

One of my old friends had a very hard time during her college years. She was surrounded by financial issue, relationship problem, and so on. One summer she had a change to attend a retreat for the young adult group. After the evening service, there was a time for private prayer. At first, she complained to God, but later she poured out her heart in the presence of God. Then, she saw a vision. Jesus was standing right in front of her, stretching out his hands to her. She held Jesus’ hands and said, “Jesus, where have you been when I was in trouble?” Jesus said to her, “My daughter, I have been waiting, opening my arms to you, for twenty years.”

Are you facing challenges? Are you facing Esau? Before Jacob met Esau he needed first to meet God. Before we face and solve our problems we need first to meet God face to face. The word “Jabbok” means “to wrestle.” Do you have any challenges that you wrestle with? If so, come to the Lord. Pour out your heart like water in his presence. Wrestle with him. Then, God will change your “Jabbok,” the place of agony, into “Peniel,” the meeting place with God face to face! Remember Jacob. You are already blessed from the beginning, and God is with you always. You will get through today’s challenge! Amen.

“From Abram to Abraham” (Gen 17:1-8)

“From Abram to Abraham” (Gen 17:1-8)

- I Will Change Your Name I -

What Is Your Name?

Have you ever wanted to change your name? My Korean name is “승리(SeungRi)” which means “Victory.” That’s why I go by “Victor.” I love my name. But when I was a child, I hated my name. I wanted to change my name. Since my name was so unique, teachers always picked me out from students and asked questions. My friends used to tease me and call me, “Loser.” However, as I got to knew Jesus personally, I found that Jesus was a true Victor. God gave me a new name, “Victory in Jesus.” Since that time, I fell in love with my name, and “Victory in Jesus” became my favorite hymn.

Many characters in the Bible experienced names changes. Their names were changed by God, from Abram to Abraham, from Sarai to Sarah, from Jacob to Israel, from Simon to Peter. The list goes on. God called each of the regular men and women who were struggling with their own issues – adversity, anger, anxiety, fear, death, doubt, poverty, pride, sickness, sorrow, temper, etc. God called each of them and changed their names. Their name change reflects their change of status and identity in God. Have you got a new name from God? Each week of the month we will explore different “name change” story in the Bible. My prayer is that it will help us to find what we need to overcome in our lives and how we will achieve it. God will help us overcome.

Change Your Name First

The first name change story is about Abraham. Today’s text begins in this way: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him…” So now Abram is 99 years old, and his wife, Sarai, is 89. And today, God changes Abram’s name and says, “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” Abram means exalted father, and Abraham means father of many. God also says, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah… she will be the mother of nations.” Abram and Sarai don’t have children, but God changes their names and calls them, “father of nations” and “mother of nations.” It doesn’t make any sense from a man’s point of view. But Abram believed in the God who gives life to the dead and who calls into existence the things that do not exist (Rom 4:17). By faith Abram changes his name first before he sees and receives what is promised. The Bible says, “And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead- and so was Sarah's womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises” (Rom 419-21, NLT). Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed in God. He always took God into his calculations. He believed that God knew the unknown, the unseen and the future. God was so pleased to see Abraham’s faith and counted him righteous!

Many of us in this room often say to God, “Lord, show me the signs, and I will believe.” But God says to us, “Believe, and you will see the glory of God.” Stanley Jones was a Methodist missionary to India. His nickname was “Billy Graham of India.” He became a missionary at the age of 24 and spent his entire life for missionary work in India. At the age of 69 he had a stroke and was hospitalized. Many people thought that his ministry would be an end. However, he never gave up. While he was in the hospital, he asked his nurse, “Whenever you see me, would you please say to me, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” instead of saying, “How are you doing”?” At first, the nurse was hesitant, but later she agreed to do so. Every time the nurse visited Stanley, she declared this word. And by faith Stanley Jones responded with “Amen.” Five months later he was completely healed from stroke and continued to work more than another twenty years. This story is not about auto-suggestion. It is about the faith that comes by hearing the promise of God (Rom 10:17). We all receive names from the world – wounded, outcast, lonely, or afraid. But God gives us new names. He calls each of us confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one, faithfulness, and friend of God! (cf. Isaiah 62) God wants us to receive our new names and proclaim them!

Live Up to Your Name

Not only does God give us a new name, but also he wants us to live up to it. How well are we living up to our new name in Christ? Alexander the Great was once reviewing his troops as they prepared for war. As he walked along the straight lines, he found one disheveled soldier. Standing directly in front of the soldier, he barked at him and said, “What is your name, private?” “Alexander, sir!” came the reply. Staring even more sternly at him, the Emperor asked again, “What is your name?” Again the soldier said, “Alexander, sir!” Without hesitation, the Commander in Chief once again asked him, “Private, I said, what is your name?” Bewildered, the soldier meekly said, “Alexander, sir!” The leader then replied, “Well, private, either change your conduct or change your name!” As we walk with Christ and carry his name, does our conduct reflect it?

Abraham died at the age of 175. In his life he had never received the things promised – the promise of the descendants and the promise of the land. When he died, he had only one promised son, Isaac, and he lived as an alien and stranger in the promised land for life. But Abraham lived up to his new name. He lived like a father of many nations. He acted like a father of many nations. Even when God tested him to sacrifice his son, Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. God promised Abraham, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named!” (Heb 11:18) But then, God also said, “Sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering!” (Gen 22:2) They were contradictory and mutually inconsistent, but Abraham considered God faithful who would keep his promise. He reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. After this experience, Abraham called that place “Jehovah Jireh.” Normally it is translated as “The Lord will provide.” But the literal translation is “The Lord will see.” In other words, for God to see is to provide. Abraham believed that if the Lord sees, he will provide. That will do. Abraham lived by faith, not by sight. He lived up to his name, a father of many nations.

Fight from Victory, Not for Victory

Like his name, eventually he became a father of many nations. The Bible says, “And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the starts in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore” (Heb 11:12). Today we see there are countless physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham. We are one of them. Like Abraham and Sarah, God gives us a new name. You may feel a huge gap between your new name and your life today, between God’s promise and your reality today. But we must remember that we fight from victory, not for victory. That’s the conclusion of God’s promise. I still remember in 2002 the Korean team made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup. At the quarterfinals the match between Spain and Korea came down to a penalty shoot-out. While I was watching the game, especially shoot-out, I was so nervous and anxious. But the following day I had a chance to watch a rerun. I was not anxious anymore; rather, I was relaxed and enjoyed watching the game because I knew its ending. In a sense, our life journey is like watching a rerun. Christ Jesus already conquered sin and death for us by his death and resurrection. In Christ our final victory is guaranteed! What do you need to overcome in your life? By faith change your name. Proclaim it. Hold fast to it. Live up to your new name. Remember in Christ we fight from victory, not for victory!