What's in a name?

In 1997, NASA landed a spacecraft on the planet Mars. Then a rover was released to explore the planet looking for the truth about life on Mars. That rover was given the name Sojourner in honor of a woman named Isabella Baumfree.

She was born into slavery in New York in 1797. She was the youngest of twelve children. At the age of nine, she was sold away from her family. Even though she suffered abuse under slavery, she made an altar to God in the woods. This was her "church" where she went to worship and talk to God. You see she didn't have the option of attending a church like we think of. In 1826, she was inspired from her talks with God and walked to freedom. In 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a travelling preacher. She said that her mission was to teach people "to embrace Jesus and refrain from sin."

As she said, we are all called to "embrace Jesus". In Acts 4:12, it tells us that there is no other name by which we must be saved. It seems that more and more these days we are being bombarded with the idea that there are other ways. This is nothing but a lie from the depths of hell. There are many religions but only one path to a relationship with God. And just a little note, NO RELIGION WILL GET YOU TO HEAVEN. Romans 8:16&17, tells us that when we embrace Jesus we become children of God and joint heirs with Christ. In Revelation 20:5, it tells us that, if your name is not written in the book of life, you will be cast into hell.

So, what's in the Name? It is unimaginable power, we are saved from hell but it is so much more. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do anything through His name. More times than I can count, I've had people tell me about what is impossible. I have actually had people that call themselves Christians, say that Gods' work is impossible. That is blasphemy! There is nothing that God cannot do! If you embrace Jesus, you will come to know and trust that He is able.

There is a little more to it though. You see, being saved from hell has nothing to do with works. But once once you become that child of God there are some things that are expected of you. As a Christian we are called to take the light of truth to the world. That comes from Matthew 28:18-20, and we won't do this to be saved we are compelled to do it out of gratitude for being saved!

Like Isabella Baumfree, aren't all of us who call upon the name of Jesus asked to be a "sojourner truth"? You see most of the people of the world are wondering around like that rover on Mars searching for the truth. We may not all be called to go to the same parts of the world but we are called to go. Are you a "sojourner truth"?

It is my prayer that we, as Christians, will start to take our name seriously. It may start with you at your workplace.