Focus: Live Up To Your Name!

Text: 1Sam.25:25

"Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him…"

There is so much in a name. A name can be awful or awesome, depending on one's character and conduct. Biblically, a name speaks of one's identity and destiny, and also of his nature and character. In our world good and bad names abound.

Our text presents us with one bad name, Nabal. It means a fool, a morally warped fool. Among the five words for a fool in the Old Testament, nâbâl is the ugliest of them all. Nabal refers to a fool who is not just stupid, but also a vile, corrupt and wicked person. He has no space for God in his life. The psalmist says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Ps.14:1). The word 'fool' here is nâbâl. A nâbâl is morally, ethically and spiritually bankrupt. He doesn't lack common sense; he lacks God. He is devoid of and avoids God. Abigail says of her husband, "For as his name is, so is he." Nabal was living up to his name. His life marched his name. Everything about him said it all, that he was a fool. He was a fool not only by name, but also by conduct and character. The moment you come in contact with Nabal, you would see a perfect sample of a fool.

For the believer in Christ, God has given him His own name. Isaiah says, "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine" (Isa.43:1). God has given the believer in Christ a brand new name. The giver of a name is superior to the bearer of the name. So having redeemed and called the believer by his name, God says, "Thou art mine." Isaiah says, "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (Isa.43:7). Apart from God giving a believer a name, He has also called him by His own name. He has God as his surname. 

Isaiah continues, "One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel… For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me" (Isa.44:5; 45:4). God has surnamed every born again child of God. Paul writes, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2Tim.2:19).

Answer your name! Your name is more important than anything else in the world. Live up to your name! Shun sin! Live out your name! Lead a life that speaks well of your name! Don't be that Christian who lives like a devil. You are a Christian; so don't live in conformity with the world. Don't soil or spoil your divine surname! You are called by God's name, so don't mess it up. People of God, let us live up to our godly name! Let us do so well and positively what Nabal did so badly and negatively. Don't be a fool like Nabal!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter