“Knowing our new name helps us live into a new reality. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, God is constantly putting us in a position to be made new. And that newness God does inside us puts Him on display to the world around us.”- Esther Fleece Allen
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”- Revelation 2:17 (NIV)
Esther Fleece Allen concludes Chapter 1 of Your New Name as she exhorts us to speak truth to others about their true identity. Because we know how to live into the truth of our new names and true identities. However, it’s still tempting to reduce others through identifying them with labels. Therefore, Esther counsels:
“We are not our old labels, and when we assign others to one of these reductionist categories, we miss out on the opportunity to really know them and affirm them. . . . The identity [God] proclaims over us has been there from the beginning, and it is the invitation of a lifetime to discover the name, identity, and inheritance He has given us.”
Furthermore, Esther underscores, the world deems us foolish. Hence, the meaning of our names bestows boldness and confidence to live for God. In addition, Esther notes, Revelation 2:17 announces that we receive a new name when we overcome. Also, the author adds, the sense in that passage = carrying off the victory. And that’s why Esther wrote this book, so that we carry off the victory.
Finally, Esther asserts that many times our new names stand right in front of us. So, she asks, are you grabbing hold of your new name and living out of it? For God constantly puts us in a position to be made new.
Today’s question: How does knowing our new name enable us to live into a new reality? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Realize what God has done for us”
