What's in a name?
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God"
Romans 1:1
These types of verses don't usually stick out in our daily devotionals; you will never see this verse in someone's Instagram bio. But all scripture is God-breathed, even something as seemingly small as an introductory sentence. I think we would be amiss if we act like there's nothing to be learned from every sentence of scripture. Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible, each one beginning with some sort of introduction like this. I can't be sure, but I imagine the way Paul identified himself in these introductions was very important.
Identity is a big thing in our world today. It seems like now more than ever, people have to make something their identity. A lot of people make their sexuality their identity, or their politics, work, etc. This is a good question to ask yourself: How do I define who I am? Is it a parent? A spouse? Is it someone who is very successful in business? Maybe you don't know. Whether or not you view yourself through a certain identity, you'll probably have one from other people. Maybe that's why identity is so important to so many people, they want to define themselves so nobody else can. I think one of the most difficult things in life for many is finding your identity. You don't always know who you are. But Paul nails it here. He recognizes that nothing he does is more important than being a servant of Jesus.
Names held a lot more importance than they do now. Most people just go for something that sounds good and is unique. Back in Bible times, they held a lot more importance and meaning. We see a number of instances in the Bible where God gives someone a new name. If we look at the times in which God does this, I think it really reveals something. God gives Abram a new name in Genesis 17. Abram meant exalted father. But then God makes his covenant with Abraham and promises not just sons but an entire nation of people from him. He changes his name to Abraham, which means a father of multitudes. God was changing his name to remind him of this promise.
Think back to when God changed Jacob's name to Israel. He wrestles with God all night. He tells him he shall no longer be called Jacob. What does the name Jacob mean? Deceiver. Jacob certainly lived up to his name until that point. But after this interaction with God, he tells him he shall be called Israel, which means May God prevail. Up until that moment Jacob was a trickster, but God gave him a new identity in Him.
Then we look at Simon's name being changed. This was once again a monumental moment in his life. It was when they first met. It is in the first chapter of John. Peter goes from being a fisherman to a disciple of Jesus. In that moment, his entire life changed to following Jesus. Then we see in Matthew 16 that Jesus expands on this and tells him that "on this rock" (the fact that Jesus is the Messiah) the church will be built upon. And Peter's name forever was a reminder of this truth.
And then we get to the author of this book. Let's look at Saul's resumé:
But then he met God. On the Damascus road, he was stopped by Jesus himself and he gave him a new name which was Paul. And I think this one might be the most profound instance. Saul went from literally murdering Christians to being the greatest missionary to ever live and writing 13 books of the Bible. It is no wonder he calls himself a servant of Jesus. That was literally all he had to stand on. Without the grace of God, all he had done was persecute Jesus. I think there's a lesson to be learned from that.
As believers in Jesus, our identity is in Christ! We are nothing apart from him. Think about your life apart from Jesus. Maybe you'd be considered significant and successful in some circles. Maybe you are held in high regard by others, or are very skilled in your line of work. None of that is enough to define your life. The only thing that lasts is Jesus. He is our identity.
That is why it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
The moment we turn away from our old life and follow Jesus, we are a new person. The things we used to live for, we no longer live for. Our priority is Jesus. That is what defines us. And that really should be a challenge for us. Does the way I live show that my identity is in Christ?
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God"
Romans 1:1
These types of verses don't usually stick out in our daily devotionals; you will never see this verse in someone's Instagram bio. But all scripture is God-breathed, even something as seemingly small as an introductory sentence. I think we would be amiss if we act like there's nothing to be learned from every sentence of scripture. Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible, each one beginning with some sort of introduction like this. I can't be sure, but I imagine the way Paul identified himself in these introductions was very important.
Identity is a big thing in our world today. It seems like now more than ever, people have to make something their identity. A lot of people make their sexuality their identity, or their politics, work, etc. This is a good question to ask yourself: How do I define who I am? Is it a parent? A spouse? Is it someone who is very successful in business? Maybe you don't know. Whether or not you view yourself through a certain identity, you'll probably have one from other people. Maybe that's why identity is so important to so many people, they want to define themselves so nobody else can. I think one of the most difficult things in life for many is finding your identity. You don't always know who you are. But Paul nails it here. He recognizes that nothing he does is more important than being a servant of Jesus.
Names held a lot more importance than they do now. Most people just go for something that sounds good and is unique. Back in Bible times, they held a lot more importance and meaning. We see a number of instances in the Bible where God gives someone a new name. If we look at the times in which God does this, I think it really reveals something. God gives Abram a new name in Genesis 17. Abram meant exalted father. But then God makes his covenant with Abraham and promises not just sons but an entire nation of people from him. He changes his name to Abraham, which means a father of multitudes. God was changing his name to remind him of this promise.
Think back to when God changed Jacob's name to Israel. He wrestles with God all night. He tells him he shall no longer be called Jacob. What does the name Jacob mean? Deceiver. Jacob certainly lived up to his name until that point. But after this interaction with God, he tells him he shall be called Israel, which means May God prevail. Up until that moment Jacob was a trickster, but God gave him a new identity in Him.
Then we look at Simon's name being changed. This was once again a monumental moment in his life. It was when they first met. It is in the first chapter of John. Peter goes from being a fisherman to a disciple of Jesus. In that moment, his entire life changed to following Jesus. Then we see in Matthew 16 that Jesus expands on this and tells him that "on this rock" (the fact that Jesus is the Messiah) the church will be built upon. And Peter's name forever was a reminder of this truth.
And then we get to the author of this book. Let's look at Saul's resumé:
- Zealot pharisee
- Extremely successful religiously
- Rich
- Tribe of Benjamin (just like King Saul)
- Persecuted Christians
- "A Hebrew of Hebrews" (Philippians 3:5)
But then he met God. On the Damascus road, he was stopped by Jesus himself and he gave him a new name which was Paul. And I think this one might be the most profound instance. Saul went from literally murdering Christians to being the greatest missionary to ever live and writing 13 books of the Bible. It is no wonder he calls himself a servant of Jesus. That was literally all he had to stand on. Without the grace of God, all he had done was persecute Jesus. I think there's a lesson to be learned from that.
As believers in Jesus, our identity is in Christ! We are nothing apart from him. Think about your life apart from Jesus. Maybe you'd be considered significant and successful in some circles. Maybe you are held in high regard by others, or are very skilled in your line of work. None of that is enough to define your life. The only thing that lasts is Jesus. He is our identity.
That is why it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
The moment we turn away from our old life and follow Jesus, we are a new person. The things we used to live for, we no longer live for. Our priority is Jesus. That is what defines us. And that really should be a challenge for us. Does the way I live show that my identity is in Christ?