Call Upon His Name

 

Most clothes will have a label on the inside back collar marking the shirt, skirt, dress, pair of pants and so on, as being made by such and such a company.  They have been branded by a particular company, the more well-known the more expensive they are to potential purchasers.

Similarly, believers in Jesus Christ have been 'branded'.  We get labeled as "those who call upon His name."  It's like in 1 Corinthians 1:2 where Paul wrote to the assembly addressing them as,

"The church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours ..." (ESV).  [emphasis mine]

The Corinthian church was noted as being a church who "called upon Jesus Christ's name."

Paul was one who used to persecute all who called upon the name of Jesus (see Acts 9:14 & 21).  So it was dangerous for folks to call upon Jesus' name.  

But how did they come to call upon Him despite that threat?  Those who,

" ... call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).

They did so in faith as we still can today.  The repentant person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  They have been saved.  Now they turn from whatever or whoever they once called upon, to now call upon the name of the Lord."

They became 'branded' by the mercy and costly grace of Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior. 

 It is also characteristic of those who call upon His name, to be baptized.

"And now why do you wait?  Rise and be baptized ... calling on His name"                 (Acts 22:16 ESV)

The branding of the heart with the Lord's name becomes public access.  One gets the labeling on their collar, so to speak.  During most baptisms, the officiant will say,

"I baptise you in the name of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit."

Dripping wet, they come up out of those baptismal waters, going forth and living the Christian life, living godliness by becoming more like Jesus.  This will let people know their 'branding' more readily at a glance.  They'll say, "Ah-ha!  You must be one of those who call upon Jesus' name!"

This because you worship the Lord, in humble repentance, seeking God, trusting Him, and depending upon Him.  You are bearing Jesus' name in faith.  People will take notice. 

Brothers and sisters-in-Christ, we call UPON His name because He first called ours.  Let us live well bringing glory and honor to His name, as we call upon Him and His name.

Lord Jesus, You first loved us and called us by name.  We now call upon Your name since we belong to You.  We call upon Your name in fear, reverence, and awe.  May we each humbly honor You and live up to Your name and so bless You.  This is our hope and desire and we ask for this in Your name that is above all names (see Philippians 2:9-11).  Amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:2 and Acts 22:16 ESV.

Sing, Jesus Name Above All Names, along with Naida Hearn 1992.