I am noticing something in the Body that is a bit disturbing to me. I am hearing a lot of folk praying to “God,” speaking about “God,” and referring in their speech to “God.” I am not talking about people outside of Christ, but folk within the Body of Christ.
People outside, of course, speak of “god.” for they do not know what we know. They have not been saved in a Name above all Names. We are not like them. Our spiritual DNA runs with the blood of Jesus who died for us.
While I know some of the thinking about using the term “God” instead of the name of Jesus, it is still troublesome to me. Let me explain why.
“God” is a very generic term. It offends no one – I know – that is why it is so used. But “God,” is not His name. He is God in every way, but that is not His name.
When Moses asked Him, “…who shall I say sent me.” (Exodus 3:13-16) The Father did not answer with the word “God.” Instead, He gave Him His Name! YHWH! That was His covenant name in the Old Testament. “The One who Exists,” “I Am that I Am.” It was important because the Egyptians (and all other cultures of the time) had many gods. The Israelites would want to know who exactly it was that spoken with and sent Moses.
In the New Testament, the full revelation of I Am has been given. It is not the Old Testament revelation Of I Am, but a New Covenant unveiling of “Yeshua,” – the God who saves.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. For by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that on Him should all fullness dwell, and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself — by Him, I say, whether they be things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:15-20 KJ21)
Also we learn in Acts 4:12, that there is salvation in no other name than Jesus! This was spoken to those in authority upholding “God.”
Since Jesus is the corner-stone of all our Father does, I think it might be well to incorporate His Name in our prayers and our conversations much more. Oh yes, it will cause some folk to shy from us and it will save others. We are not the point. Being accepted by others is not our goal. Our goal is to proclaim that a Savior has come and He has a Name above all Names. In that name is salvation, healing, hope and wholeness of every kind.
We need to embrace His name! Jesus name above all names. Just some thoughts I am working in. Thanks for joining me. There is no condemnation in this, just a desire to prompt thinking and the use of His name by His people.
Mannaword 