The Name of Jesus

Col. 3:17

And whatever you do in word of deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Phil. 2:9-10

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every Knee should bow, of those in heaven , and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John1:12 But as many as received Him them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. Who were Born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Matt. 18:20

For where two of three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

Last week after my Rotary softball game, the Person who organized the team – a fellow Rotarian and a practicing Jew – asked me to pray after the game. Just before we started to pray – he says:

” Tim, make it non-denominational”

Well, I have to confess that I knew what he was asking me. He did not want to hear the name of Jesus at the close of my prayer. I caved in… and said in your name we pray – AMEN.

NO… I did not do it correctly. I should have said in the name of JESUS I pray… Amen.

Should we be sensitive when it comes to others beliefs? Yes…

Should we be willing to ignore scripture and what it says – in order to be sensitive to others? NO – Never! God has told us how to pray and in whose name we should pray – not taking into account any Jewish Belief that was formed from Matt. 28:11-15. This portion of scripture describes exactly why Jews do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah. It is the work of the Devil that has brought this about in the Jewish community. This is why they hate the name of Jesus. They are still looking for their Messiah – and will be the prime target for the anti-christ in the time of the tribulation. He will come to them as their “messiah” Make a deal and many will be deceived when that “Deal” is broken.

SO… I have to say Lord Forgive me. I will not do this again. I will speak with my friend about this matter and ask him to not ask me to pray – if the name of Jesus is offensive to him.

I find it interesting how so many folks who don’t believe in Christ want Christians to be tolerant of other beliefs – but they are not tolerant of the mandate that scripture put on us. Scripture says to pray in the name of Jesus. Col 3:17 and Matt. 18:20 – so which am I going to placate to? The will of someone who openly rejects the name of Jesus because of his false religion, or am I going to obey scripture?

 I will obey scripture and let the wrath come – if it must! I will be rejected – AGAIN – if this is what God wants for me. I have been told that I am brainwashed – out there in left field somewhere – weirdo… But  I am complete in Christ and in the Name of Christ. The blows that are meant for Christ today – I will gladly take! Since He is not here – they will hit and mock and strike at those who are truly His children – those who walk with Him rightly. Are you willing to take the blows meant for Christ -standing on His name?