Called By His Name

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. ¹⁶ For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

 Some have a desire to be called by the name of Christ for the benefits that can bring.  Although it is becoming less popular as being a “Christian” becomes less politically correct.   But taking on that name comes with responsibilities.

In our culture it has become more common place for the wife to keep her name instead of taking on her husband’s name.  She gets the benefits of the marriage relationship and yet shuns the identity of her husband.  How often do we as Christians want the benefits of being a Christian but shun the true identity?  With the true identity comes a taking on of the character that name signifies.  The names of God throughout scripture show us the breadth and depth of His character.  His desire is for that character to be manifested in and through a people that take on His name. 

We have made 2 Chronicles 7:14 be only about prayer, but it is also about a people humbling themselves and repenting from their wicked ways in order to walk in a way that shows forth the character of the One whose name they are called by.