Live Up To Your Name

At one point in the life of Alexander The Great, as he was conquering the Persian empire, one of his young soldiers in fear left his position in the midst of a battle.  The young soldier was brought before Alexander and the seriousness of the offense was presented.  Alexander the Great asked the young man what his name was.  To this the young soldier said, “Sir, my name is Alexander.”  Alexander the Great scowled back, “Young man either change your conduct or change your name.”  Alexander the Great did not want his name attributed to the cowardly actions of the young soldier.

In  John 8:39 Jesus challenged the Pharisees by saying, “”If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.”   In other words, they should be living up to the name of the one whom they called their father.  Who do we have for our Father?  Is there an expectation that we would be living up to the name and standards of Him?  I believe that there is such an expectation.  Jesus says later in John 8:42, “If God were your Father, you would love Me.” Jesus then ties this unique relationship that we have with Him, and He with the Father, when He says in John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  There is an expectation that we would “live up to” this holy relationship which we have, but we cannot do this on our own.  That is why Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to a relationship with You, through Jesus Christ.  Thank You for helping us to be like You.