Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: Who are you?

What is your Name? Who are you?

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On April 9, 2019

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:30, 32, Hosea 12:4-5), he clung on to God and would not let go of him unless he was blessed. To this, God responds and asks for his name. God asked “What is thy name?” Jacob answered the question and said that his name was “Jacob” which means supplanter or deceiver. To this God replied and rechristens Jacob saying that “you will no longer be called Jacob, but instead you shall be called Israel, for as a prince you have power with (not over) God and with man and have prevailed”. To this Jacob asks God, what is your name. I pray that you tell me your name. Instead of answering that questions as God did, by saying that he is the “I AM”, when Moses asked the same question, God counter-questions him asking “Why do you ask for my name?” and then proceeds to bless Israel there.

From this account, we can learn a few things.
God wants us to acknowledge who we are. The omniscience of God would not have required him to ask for Jacob’s name, yet he did. Until then, Jacob, the deceiver had fooled his father by telling him that he was Esau, to rob Esau of his blessings. Now, he was in a predicament where he could not lie to God, the Father of all (Ephesians 4:6), and he acknowledges and accepts who he is (a deceiver), that he is Jacob. So the first thing God does is not remind Jacob of who he is, but instead rechristens him and gives him a new name, likening him to be a prince. Other scriptures substantiate the rechristening act of God. Abram was rechristened Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Saul was rechristened as Paul and when Simon recognized that Jesus was indeed the son of God he was rechristened as Peter (“Rock”). Additionally, we learn that right after God rechristened Jacob to be Israel, he blesses him. In other words, blessings succeeds rebirth/rechristening.

Points to ponder:
When we accept our sinful state before God, the Father, and confess of our unworthiness of his mercy as Jacob did (Genesis 32:10), he gives us another name (Isaiah 65:15), a new name (Rev 2:17), one better than that of sons and daughters (of men) that is everlasting (Isaiah 56:5), as children of God (1 John 3:1), one that is designated by God himself (Isaiah 62:2), As children of God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, we are prince and princesses. God’s  name (Rev 3:12). God’s name is I AM (Exodus 3:14) and Jesus said before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58). Jesus is God and the Lord is his name (Hosea 12:4-5).

Before man had sinned, blessings preceded naming (Genesis 5:1-2). Now in the fallen state of man, because of man’s sin and disobedience, blessings follows rebirth, that happen when one acknowledges their sinful state and accepts the Lord Jesus (),

So the question that demands an answer now is Are you rechristened by God? What is your name? Who are you?

Genesis 32:27-29 (KJV)
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

Become what you believe

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On September 13, 2013

In Christian, Quotable Quotes

Russian dramatist, Anton Chekhov, from the late 1800s, is attributed to have quoted the following line, which is predominantly used as a theme in university majors like Psychology and in positive thinking seminars within companies. He said “Man is what he believes.” In October 2011, talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, in her Lifeclass series, “You become what you believe”, interviewed actor Jim Carey, author J.K. Rowling and fashion designer Ralph Lauren as those who put Mr. Chekhov statement to a test and proved him right. Though many may attribute this quote to Mr. Chekhov, and extend it as did Ms. Winfrey, close scrutiny of the Bible reveals this to be a statement, made by Jesus Christ himself.

Matthew 9:27-31 records the event of Jesus opening the eyes of two blind men, who followed him and cried unto him to have mercy on them. When Jesus asked them, “Do you believe, that I am able to do this?” (that is restore their sight), they responded, “Yes, Lord” and then, Jesus touched their eyes and told them “According to your faith be it unto you” which is rendered as “Become what you believe.” (in the Message translation). The eyes of the blind men were opened and they could see.

The Bible counsels us to be followers of God (Ephesians 5:1) which means we ought to be like Jesus, walking in love and presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice before God, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and The Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 10:10). In order to be like Christ, we must first believe in him, for according to his words, we “Become what we believe.” Jesus is the Only begotten Son of God (John 3:16) and when we believe in him, we are made (not begotten) into a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), as children of God, for as many as them that believe in him (Jesus) and have received him, to them he gave the power to be called the sons of God (John 1:12).

Points to ponder:
If man is what he believes and we become what we believe, then the question that demands an answer is “Who are you?” Are you a son (or daughter) of God? In other words, have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Son of God, who was sent by God, the Father, for everyone who believes in him, is given the power to be called a child of God and shall not perish but have eternal life. Who are you?

Matthew 9:27-34 (MSG)
27-28 As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!”
29-31 He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. “Don’t let a soul know how this happened.” But they were hardly out the door before they started blabbing it to everyone they met.

Be Still :: Who are you?

By

On March 1, 2013

In Christian

The Bible teaches us to Be still and know that Who God is (Psalm 46:10), but did you know that the Bible also counsels us to Be still and know, who we are. (Psalm 4:4). We are asked to commune with our own heart and be still. In other words, we need to Be still and introspect.

We need to be still and introspect that we are standing (on our knees) in awe of God for his glory outshines all other things that glitter.
We need to be still and introspect to make sure that we have no unconfessed sin in our lives that displeases God.

Points to ponder:
When we are still, we can ponder in our hearts and introspect as to who we are (in Christ Jesus). Those who have believed in him, can be still and recognize that as the:
– Accepted of God, we can be still and know that we don’t need to be captive to any loneliness that binds us.
– Beloved of God, we can be still and know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and so we don’t need to conform to the ephemeral things of the world that define short-lived beauty.
– Child of God, we can be still and know that as our Father, God is our provider, our protection, our pillar, our preserver,  and all powerful to meet all of our needs according to his riches in glory.

Do you know who you are? Be still and commune with your own heart; Be still and introspect.

Psalm 4:4 (KJV)
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

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