You.

The disciples, were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts eleven, verse 26 what's in a name? A lot, actually. One's name gives identity and expresses character. The phrase living up to your name implies that your attitudes, actions, and lifestyle illustrate the characteristics brought to mind by the mention of your name. The name Benjamin, for example, means son of my right hand, which is the same as saying, this is my favorite son, referred to as Jacob's favorite son. Benjamin had a duty to act like it. But names don't always seem to fit a person, do they? For instance, in acts 20, we read about a young man by the name of Uticus. His name means well off or lucky. However, this is the young man who fell asleep during Paul's sermon and fell out of an upper story window to his death. How lucky is that? On the other hand, Paul revived Uticus after his fall, so maybe he was lucky after all. What does your name mean? Are you living up to your name? More important, are you living up to the name Christian that you were given when you were baptized into Christ to become one of his followers? The word Christian refers to someone who has been baptized into Christ and who is committed to follow, serve, and honor Christ for the rest of his or her life. When you claim to be a Christian, that claim implies that your attitudes and actions and lifestyle are patterned after the attitudes, actions, and lifestyle of Jesus. I read the true story of a young soldier boarding a train that would take him to a troop transport ship heading to Europe during World War I. As he hugged his father goodbye, his father whispered, son, remember who you are. Always remember who you are today. Followers of Jesus are commonly called Christians, the same name that was used to describe followers of Jesus in the first century. It is a name that distinguishes them as individuals who have chosen to live a life that honors Christ and reflects his image. There is a lot in that name, and we would do well to do all we can to live up to it.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.