Claiming the New Name

     Isaiah 62:2 says, "and you shall be called by a new name.that the mouth of the Lord will give."
What is your name? Who are you? The name we identify with can have power to control our actions.
When I was a prison chaplain many inmates had a prison name such as snake, kung fu, killer, gangster, bank robber,or slick. Their behavior in violent and devious ways which earned them the name. In a prison gang sometimes the leader gave a new name to a new person. The power to give a name suggests ownership and authority.
      The good news of Christ is His power and authority to give us an eternal name which fits our true identify in Him. Isaiah 62:4 says that in Christ we will no longer be called, "Forsaken" but instead we are called, "My Delight".  The prison names all tell of a forsaken life which is going no where but down. The name of "My Delight" means the Lord is overjoyed, carried away, and thrilled to call you His child. 
      Maybe this is what Jesus meant in Luke 15:7, "I tell you, there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." The Lord takes delight when we turn away from selfishness to practice generosity, from lust to show respectful kindness, from arrogance to admit we need His wisdom, from bitter revenge to show forgiveness. This is the journey of life in the power of Christ who lives within us through His Spirit. He gives us power to overcome impulsive reactions and mindless attractions.  The path of life united in the Spirit of His resurrection is to chose to take the high road and the compassionate way.
Repentance means to share in His death each day as we face temptations to make reckless and foolish decisions. We must also die to the temptation of self-righteousness when we compare ourselves to others and entertain the illusion we are better than other sinners and really do not need the Savior's help. This is the arrogant self-delusion the religious leaders of Jesus time refused to surrender. When we are doing our best each day to die to sin's control and choosing instead to do God's Will the Lord gives us the name, "My Delight".
      The Lord promises to give us a new name if we walk with him in the path of repentance.
Our name and identify in Christ is lasting. Worldly titles and names given by others will all pass away. The Apostle John in his letter of First John 2:16-17 speaks of our abiding identity in Christ, "for all that is of the world-the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches-comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever."  Remember that no matter what the world may reject you and call you worthless, in Christ you are a child of the King. Like the old gospel song says, "There is a new name written down in glory and it is mine!"