“‘Christian’ is the greatest name you can ever be given.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 2, 2024
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1, NIV
“Tripp” is a nickname derived from “triple.” My given name is Gene Wilton Prince, III. In carrying the name of both my father and grandfather, rarely has a day gone by in my life that I am not reminded of the fact that I carry multiple generations of familial identity and history simply by virtue of my name.
The longer I’ve lived, the more pride I have in carrying this family name. I have heard story after story about the integrity with which my grandfather ran his family-owned business in a small town south of Atlanta. I know firsthand how my father sacrificially served the Lord as a church planter, leading multiple communities deeper in their love for Christ and allegiance to him. And though my son does not share my first name, I pray one day, he will look at my life and be proud to stand in this family lineage of men who lived honorable and commendable lives.
As wonderful as it is to have a lineage of men with “a good name,” our identity as sons and daughters in the family of God is even greater! “Christian” is the greatest name you or I could ever be given, and it is the greatest name that can be passed on to those who come after us. Though we can and should give thanks for the gift of biological families, we all the more must learn to thank the Lord for the countless examples of faithfulness to Jesus that have come before us. The saints of old show us that faithfulness is possible, even in the face of great difficulty. They bore the name “Christian” with great courage, and we honor them by remembering their example and striving to do the same.
And, if your biological family tree lacks worthy examples of men and women with a good name, the name of “Christian” redeems and transforms even the most broken family stories. You are invited today, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to begin a new lineage of faith, bringing beauty from ashes as you strive to follow the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is a life worth living and the path to a good name.
Prayer
Father, may we live good and faithful lives, defined most of all by our love for you and our commitment to the way of your kingdom, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
What steps can you take today toward a legacy of “a good name” in your family that will last for generations to come?
Related Reading
Ecclesiastes 7:1; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Peter 2:12
Worship Resource
Steffany Gretzinger: Holy
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