What's In A Name? Continued.....

 

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.”

                                                                          - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

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So, what is in a name?

Many events in history have been shaped by leaders taking specific actions in the name of something, someone, or even God.

First, why invoke God’s name in vain? Why would the Lord ever want us to fight each other, especially if the conflict harms the children of the Lord?

Second, do we truly understand what is in the hearts of people at first glance? Even after some time, will an individual's true colors be fully revealed?

What are words without actions that demonstrate a person's true character-particularly when deception is involved?

What is in a name-of a person, label, or title?

Let’s look beyond the name to its meaning, purpose, and character.

For example, what is a Christian?

As the name suggests, a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ to live a life that honors the Lord by embodying and exemplifying Christ's teachings, and bringing forth the Kingdom of the Lord on earth - in love and peace - with the Holy Spirit.

What is the character of a Christian?

Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us and our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, the character of a Christian is filled with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23):

Love and Peace

Gentleness (meekness)

Joy

Patience (forbearance) and Kindness (compassion)

Goodness and Faithfulness (trustworthiness)

Self-control (discipline)

Against such things, there is no law, meaning these attributes are of the Lord in spirit and are not confined by those of Caesar in the mundane.

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The core foundation of the Christian character is built upon the main commandments of the Lord, which are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; 2 Kings 23:25), and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31). 

Upon these main two commandments are the principles of peace and love, in the calmness, enlightenment, and holiness of the Holy Spirit; hope, as foretold by the prophets and brought to light by Christ-of the Lord's promise of redemption, deliverance, and salvation; faith in the Lord's promise and sovereignty; humility in submission to the Lord's will in the openness to learn from others, acceptance of our human vulnerabilities and imperfections (since we are only human and mistakes happen) and receiving guidance, grace, and the processes of salvation not hindered by our own understanding, desires, or ignorance; and obedience to the Lord, of the Lord's commandments, spiritual laws, and covenants.

The expectation for a Christian is to walk in all the ways of Christ, embody Christ (be Christ-like), and manifest Jesus's teachings into the reality of everyday life.  

The ability for embodiment depends upon our commitment, dedication, understanding, and capacity for love and peace in the face of the trials and tribulations of life, and our faith and grace in the Lord despite the sins of man.   

So, what's in a name?

Are you able to see beyond a name?

Or do you take things at face value?

Are you blinded by labels, desires, and sins?

What is in a name is more complex and nuanced than imagined for it is limited by your understanding, imagination, capacity to learn, how deep your connection is to the Holy Spirit, and your humbleness which allows you repent when necessary and receive grace to follow the instructions of the Lord. 

Next time, take time, and look beyond the name and see a person or situation for who or what they truly are.

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It has been 162 years, or eight scores and one year, since Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, where he wondered whether “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” and “that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”

Since the Civil War, this nation has honored many more who died fighting for freedom and gave their last full measure of devotion.

The question before us today remains the same:

Do we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain?

And that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth?

The grass might seem greener in some idealized perfection.

However, our forefathers understood that perfection does not exist. The best we, the people as mere mortals, can do is to strive for a more perfect union. As stated in the Preamble to the Constitution:

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We the People of the United States, to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Though our system of governance is far from perfect, this government of the people, by the people, for the people has achieved unparalleled prosperity, tranquility, liberty, and freedoms the world has never seen before.

We are the embodiment of the American Dream that the world has long strived to match.

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Shall we instead become followers of some failed model of governance, one that is ever-shrinking in economic and substantive standing?

And abandon the birth of freedom our forebears fought and died to secure—the Blessings of Liberty, which include Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?

Why not defend, honor, and be thankful for what our forefathers and the honored dead through these scores have fought in their last measure of devotion to secure?

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Treat others with the same kindness and fairness you would like to receive.*

 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” commanded Jesus Christ from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31).

This command is known as the Golden Rule and it exists in two primary forms:* 

Positive Form (Directive): "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This encourages active kindness and good deeds.

Negative Form (Prohibitive): "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." This form emphasizes refraining from causing harm. 

Jesus's teaching emphasizes the positive, active form, encouraging believers to actively seek the good of others, not just avoid doing harm.*

Warning:

What happens when we fail to obey Jesus Christ's commandments, especially to love thy neighbor in fellowship (Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31)?

 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). 

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).   

Jesus makes a direct link between love for Him and obedience to His commands. Failure to obey, in this context, demonstrates a lack of genuine love and commitment.* 

 "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:11).

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*Sourced from Google AI search of “Do unto others so too unto you.”

 

We are stronger together.

"In union there is strength and united we stand." - Aesop

Today, we honor the voices of victims and recognize their pain and suffering.

Today, we took a step towards justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially children trafficked by monsters.  

Today, we bravely demonstrated to the world our resolve to protect our children and every individual from sexual abuse and harm.

Let's pave the way for a better and safer world where children can learn, grow, and play safely without the threat of harm, especially sexual abuse and exploitation.  

And let's continue to fight the good fight for the benefit of our children, humanity, especially future generations.  

Thank you.

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Soldiers of Christ, Rise

“Soldiers of Christ, arise,

and put on your armor.

Be strong in the strength that God supplies

through His eternal Son.

Be strong in the Lord of hosts

and in His mighty power,

who in the strength of Jesus trusts

is more than a conqueror.

Stand then in His great might,

with all His strength infused,

and take, to help you in the fight,

The armor of God.

From strength to strength go on,

wrestle and fight and pray;

tread down all the powers of darkness

and win the well-fought day.

Leave no unguarded place,

no weakness of the soul;

take every virtue, every grace,

and strengthen the whole.

That, having done all,

and all your conflicts past,

You may overcome through Christ alone

And stand complete at last.”*

Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle against unholy spiritual forces of evil. And against these unholy forces, we must follow the Lord's will and defend the innocent, especially children.

Key aspects of being a "soldier of Christ':

**Spiritual battle:**

The main idea is a non-physical war against spiritual forces of evil, requiring spiritual weapons and strength, as emphasized in this Facebook post and sermon summary.

**Discipline and training:**

Just as soldiers train, Christians are encouraged to train through prayer, studying scripture, and living in obedience and dedication to God's will.

**Mission-mindedness and obedience:**

A good soldier is loyal, active, and willing to endure hardship in pursuit of their mission, according to the Africa Freedom Mission.

**Willingness to suffer:**

This includes a readiness to face suffering and, in extreme cases, to lay down one's life for one's faith.

**Obligations:**

Being a soldier of Christ involves fulfilling duties to both God (such as keeping vows) and others (such as being honest and reconciling with them).

For Christians, it is our duty and honor to defend against unholy dangers, keep peace, and protect from harm. Christians must stand against evil.

**Ephesians 6:11**

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*Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #367

**Google AI search for Soldiers of Christ.