In His Name... For His Name's Sake

As I was reading through one of my old journals recently, two phrases of Jesus seemed to leap off the page.

"In My name."

"For My name's sake."

I had underlined them years ago, but this time they seemed connected in a way I had never noticed before.

The more I searched the Scriptures, the more I realized that these two phrases describe the entire Christian life.

Jesus tells us to gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).

He tells us to receive others in His name (Matthew 18:5).

He tells us to pray in His name (John 14:13-14).

Everything we do is to represent Him. His name is more than a phrase we say at the end of a prayer. His Name represents His authority, His character, His truth, and His Kingdom.

As believers, we carry His Name wherever we go.

Then Jesus says something equally important.

"You will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." (Matthew 24:9)

Notice the connection.

We live in His Name.

Sometimes we suffer for His Name's sake.

The privilege and the cost belong together.

The apostles understood this perfectly. After they had been beaten for preaching Christ, they rejoiced because they had been "counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)

That verse has challenged me.

Would I still serve Jesus if no one applauded?

Would I still speak His truth if people rejected me?

Would I still obey Him if it cost me friendships, comfort, or popularity?

I believe these are questions every believer should ask.

As I looked back through that old journal, I realized something else.

God has been teaching me this lesson for many years. Sometimes we don't fully understand what He is showing us until much later. Looking back reminds us that God has been patiently shaping us all along.

Perhaps that is why Jesus spoke so often about His Name.

One day, every other name will fade away.

Only one Name will remain forever.

My prayer is that every day of my life will point someone to Jesus, so that one day I may hear the words I long to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Until then, may we live faithfully in His Name, even if it means suffering for His Name's sake.