Hearing His Voice #158

I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Revelation 2:17

God enjoys giving people new names. He did it with Abram/Abraham, Sarai/Sarah, Jacob/Israel, Simon/Peter, and others. (Some believe He also gave Saul/Paul a new name, but Paul seems to have continued to use Saul when dealing with a Hebrew audience and Paul with a Greek audience.) God insists on being the one who shapes our identity over all other influences. We are not who we think we are, nor are we who other people say we are. We are who God says we are. And His opinion is the one that matters.

Jesus tells the overcomers in one of His churches that they will receive new names in heaven. For all who believe, this name is more than just another word; it’s a definition of who we really are in Him. For everyone who has felt defined by their past, their peers, or their performance, this is good news. The name Jesus gives us will not be based on our baggage, our distorted thinking, or our self-perceptions. It won’t be something we can earn or deserve. It won’t be based on our profession or accomplishments or failures. It will be rooted in Christ’s identity and reflect exactly who we were created to be. His voice alone tells us who we are.

You can go ahead and enjoy the benefits of this new name because the voice of God is already shaping who you are. Perhaps you have accepted the opinions of others—either rejection or affirmation—to shape your identity. Or maybe past experiences and relationships have defined how you think about yourself. But God calls you His child, promises you His inheritance, sees you healthy and whole in Christ, and gives you privileges as a priest and a king. These aren’t future descriptions for those who believe in Jesus; they are startlingly current. By His words, this is who you really are, now and forever.

Lord, let me go ahead and “be”—in experience—who I really am. Let me live my new name now and enjoy it for all eternity.