What's in A Name?
Jesus
“In your relationships with others, have the same
mind that was in Jesus. Even though he was equal with the Father, he did not consider
grabbing hold or keeping that equality. But he made himself into nothing by
taking the form of a servant and becoming a human being. When he was born here,
he humbled himself by being obedient to his Father, which included his death on
a cross.
Because of this, God lifted him up to the highest
place and gave him the name above all names. So that at the name of Jesus,
everyone will eventually bow down, those in heaven, on earth and in the entire
universe. Every mouth will say Jesus the Messiah is I Am, to the glory of the
Father.”
I once read, I wish I remembered where, that when
Lucifer and other angels rebelled against God, they at first only had God’s
word that he was all wise and all good. They knew no other life than the one
they were living in heaven. Isaiah chapter 14 explains to us what was in
Lucifer’s heart. He wanted to have the power and authority of God. I am sure
God warned him what would happen if he went off on his own, but God, believing
in complete freedom, let him go.
Without God’s Spirit in his life, Lucifer became evil.
His thoughts were bent on revenge towards God. If he couldn’t be master in
heaven, he hoped to become master of this world. Adam and Eve also doubted God’s
love, and when they sinned they handed their rulership of the world over to Lucifer. They wanted
knowledge God had not given to them. They chose this new king who would give
them the knowledge of evil.
But the plan of God was to send Jesus to save this
world. He couldn’t save Lucifer, or he would have, but he could save some of
humankind if they would change their allegiance from evil to good. And so, the
plan of salvation was begun. When on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished,”
he meant the plan was concluded. He had done all he could to show man and the
universe that God was a God of love, sacrifice and compassion.
Now all of us can look upon good and evil and make a
clear choice. The Holy Spirit brings light to every man, the Bible says. Even
if someone has never heard the gospel, if they follow the light within them,
they can be saved from the power of evil in this world. The plan of salvation
is for everyone in every corner of the earth. One day, those who follow the
Spirit of God will be together in heaven praising the name of Jesus. The name
above all names.
