What are some of the names you have been called in this life? How did they make you feel? Were they building or crushing? Did they uplift you or shut you down? What are some of the names we call ourselves? What about those who are close to us? Friends? Children? Spouses? Relatives? Are they respectful? Noble. Lovely. Engaging. Building.
Sometimes it sounds funny. It makes us laugh, but sometimes, it hurts us. Remember the day when you received a good word, someone called you a good one. What about when it wasn’t? And deep down, you knew it was not respectful or good? Broken, probably.
What impact do the names we are called have on our self-identity? How can we change the way we perceive or respond to negative names? In what ways can we ensure the names we use for ourselves and others are uplifting and respectful?
How about the names God calls us? Through His Word, by his friends and servants? Loving family and friends? Strangers whom we met on a day we needed to hear that word on that day? Godly. Wonderful. Good.
(Want to have the best when reading this post? Have the Word, the Bible, close to you for reference.)
The names God calls us
The Lord, through His Word and His servant Paul, reminds us again that the names we call others or ourselves are from our thoughts. It is true, whatever man thinketh he is. So Paul reminds us to focus on the good, true, honest, just, pure, of praise, good report, lovely, of virtue. What Word is there for it? ponder on it.
The Bible writes in Philippians 4:7-9
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
When you think about the names, words, and thoughts…
In life, so many times we find and yes, have ourselves in places where it is never always so. We meet friends and believers, family and loved ones, and the words they speak, the thoughts they have, aren’t as Paul advises. With so many words comes pain, hurt and yes, despair. But God ain’t about that. He wills us well, plan and thinketh as well as speak and call us good. Should it really matter when those we see speak differently from what God says? I do not think so. For we are called in the name of Jesus, we are not now our own but His.
The Word says in Ephesians 1:20-21, He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
So, whenever someone says otherwise, think and remember what Paul said. And yes, what God says we are. Because no matter what others call us in a moment of heat, anger or offence, He is our God, He loves us and wills good for us, and His love abounds. For He says,
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
What are the Names God call us
Our Identity in Christ
A New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Children of God
- “Yet to all who did receive him… He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
- “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.” (2 Corinthians 6:18, echoing 2 Samuel 7:14)
Branches of the True Vine
“I am the vine; you are the branches.” (John 15:5)
Friends of Jesus
“I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)
Justified and Redeemed
- “Justified freely by his grace through redemption in Christ.” (Romans 3:24)
- “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Well, in Christ, we live, move and have our being
Heirs of God
- “Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17)
- “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3; fulfilled in Galatians 3:29)
Sanctified Saints
“Sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
Temples of the Holy Spirit
“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Members of Christ’s Body
“You are the body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Ambassadors for Christ
“We are Christ’s ambassadors.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
The Righteousness of God
“In Him we become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Chosen and Holy
- “Chosen before creation to be holy.” (Ephesians 1:4)
- “You are a chosen people, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9; echoing Exodus 19:6)
Adopted as Sons/Daughters
“Predestined for adoption to sonship.” (Ephesians 1:5)
Redeemed and Forgiven
- “Redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)
- “I have swept away your offences like a cloud.” (Isaiah 44:22)
Sealed with the Spirit
“Marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)
The names we are called make us, now, in the future and eternally
Made Alive in Christ
“God made us alive with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:5)
Raised and Seated with Christ
“Raised us up and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 2:6)
God’s Masterpiece
“We are His workmanship.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Citizens of Heaven
“Our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20)
Free in Christ
“Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
Beloved of God
- “Holy and dearly loved.” (Colossians 3:12)
- “The Lord’s portion is His people.” (Deuteronomy 32:9)
Royal Priests
“A royal priesthood… declaring His praises.” (1 Peter 2:9; Exodus 19:6)
The names we are called define us, our being, our purpose
Light in the Lord
“Now you are light in the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8)
More Than Conquerors
“We are more than conquerors through Him.” (Romans 8:37)
The Bride of Christ
- “The bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)
- “I will betroth you to me forever.” (Hosea 2:19)
God’s Treasured Possession
“My treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 2:9)
Sheep of His Pasture
“We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
A Light to the Nations
“A light for the Gentiles.” (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47)
Grafted into Israel’s Blessings
“You are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
The Apple of God’s Eye
“He guarded him as the apple of His eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10)
Note on the Old Testament and New Testament Verse (Fulfilment)
- Roots and Promise Fulfilment: Every identity is grounded in God’s covenant promises to Israel (e.g., Exodus 19:5–6) and fulfilled in Christ for all believers (1 Peter 2:9–10).
- On Inheritance: We inherit Abraham’s blessing (Genesis 12:3 → Galatians 3:14), Israel’s priesthood (Exodus 19:6 → 1 Peter 2:5), and David’s eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:16 → Revelation 22:16).
- Partakers, Co-heirs: Israel was God’s “firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22); now we’re “sons of God through faith in Christ” (Galatians 3:26).
- Inheritance: The Promised Land foreshadows our “eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
- Priesthood: OT priests mediated God’s presence; now all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:5).
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