Greetings in Christ,
The name of Jesus has been used in many ways since He has been on earth, and His name has been referred to in many ways. Many have not used His name in a good way referring to His name as a slang word. This use of slang denotes the unbelief in who He was and is, and they choose to seek their own wisdom in the understanding of who Jesus was and is. This seeking of personal wisdom leads people to a finite view of true wisdom revealing who Jesus really is, and they cannot see beyond what they can grasp and/or see.
Jesus had such an encounter with a group of Jewish people who could not get past their own thinking. They knew Jesus as the son of Joseph and Mary, He had brothers and sisters, and He lived among them as a child. How can they believe Him when He calls Himself the Son of God? They relied on their own thinking which led them to believe they knew all about Him, and they formed an opinion He was crazy and delusional. They saw Him as an ordinary man who thought He was claiming something which He could not be. Their lack of true wisdom and understanding led them to turn their backs on Him, and to use His name in a derogatory manner thinking His was a lunatic.
The denial of who He was and along with the forsaking of His name continues today. We hear it spoken in ways which turn our hearts and grieve our soul. To hear His name called out as slang, or to be used as a curse word brings tears to those who know Him personally, and if He were here today, He would say it has to be this way. He would say people would either love Him or hate Him there is no in-between. Can the name of Jesus be proclaimed in the right manner today and in the future? The simple answer is yes.
Paul writes to the Colossians asking them to not lose sight of Jesus. Paul is reminding them they have been chosen by God, and put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other. Now that is a tall order for the people to grasp, but Paul goes on to say just the Lord forgave you, so you should also. Paul was referring to for them to not lose sight of Jesus, and to seek His wisdom and understanding.
Paul wanted them to understand what he had found in Jesus. Paul understood Jesus came to earth to impart His wisdom and understanding to the people so they could see beyond their own finite wisdom and see the heavenly kingdom which exists for all to inherit. Paul wanted them to understand Jesus made the choice to come to earth and give His life for all to have the opportunity to receive God’s inheritance.
Solomon writes to his son in Proverbs asking him to seek wisdom and understanding, and in his seeking he would find God’s true wisdom, and for him to treat it like it was silver—a precious commodity. It is in this wisdom and understanding his son would find a shield from evil and to guide his path in righteousness. This wisdom and understanding will be discretion for him and to keep him aware of those who speak perverse things and keep him from walking in the path of evil. God will preserve him, and this wisdom and understanding would be pleasant to his soul.
Paul writes more to the Colossians asking the people to do everything in the name of Jesus giving praise to His name, and thanks through Him to God the Father. Paul wanted them to know they had to seek wisdom and understanding before they could do things in the name of Jesus. They first had to get a full picture of what Jesus was all about before they proclaimed any action in His name; otherwise, the true understanding of His name might be misunderstood.
The name of Jesus has been proclaimed in many ways since He has been of earth. It is a powerful name which cannot be matched by any other name. It is a name which can lead the blind, heal the sick, and those who stumble to walk upright. It is a name by which those who choose to believe in it can gain the true wisdom and understanding which provides a shield from evil and leads to eternal life. It is a name worthy to be proclaimed by the upright people He leads and give Him the praise He deserves thanking God for His Son.
“The Lord sustains all who fall and raises u; p all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:14-21
Lord may we proclaim Your name boldly and give You the praise for what You do through us. Amen
Blessings,