Articles
THEY
THEY
“I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants . . . to be God to you”
Genesis 17:7
A self-employed inventor from Branson, Missouri, decided to change his name to “They.” He said he did it for fun to address the common reference people make to “they.” He remarked, “People say, ‘They do this,’ or ‘They’re to blame for that.’ ‘They’ accomplish such great things. Somebody had to be responsible.” Friends call his home and ask, “Is They there?” His new name may drive his friends crazy, but think what it does to one specialized in grammar.
Abram’s name was changed, but not on a whim. The Lord changed it. In biblical times, God often changed a person’s name to indicate what He was going to do through that person. Abram’s name (“exalted father”) was changed to Abraham (“father of many”) because God had promised to make him a father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Through his name “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
In fulfillment of God’s promise, Jesus came from the line of Abraham and blessed the nations by giving His life for our sins. When we believe in Him, we are blessed and are promised eternal life with Him. God now calls us by new names: “Christian”, “My people”, “saints” and “sons of the living God” (Acts 11:26; Romans 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 1:2).
The name Christian cannot be used to describe a nation, family, society, or world. It is a name set aside for each individual who decides to live as a righteous person. This name has a distinct quality. It has the name of Christ in it. The name Christ gives each person who follows the Lord an authority behind what they do. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Each Christian wearing the name of Christ acts in harmony with what the Lord’s will is. There is no hesitation or excuse given. We lovingly live the life which illustrates the one we follow – Jesus. There is never a thought of what “they” are doing or “they” are not doing. The understanding is what am I doing.
There is one more interesting thing about this new name. At the end is “ian”. It is there to help each Christian understand who we are without Christ - - “I Am Nothing”.
