Fola Komolafe

But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. 2 Timothy 2:19 (AMPC)

Before each of our children were born, my husband and I spent so much time praying and considering what name they should be named, even though we had not seen them physically we knew their name would matter, it would shape their identity and people would know them by their name. God helped us to choose their names and as they have grown we are so incredibly amazed as we see their character, their behaviours and their identity in their names.

There is however a greater heavenly name every believer bears. Paul talking about the greatness of Gods plan for us all in Christ starts to pray in Ephesians 3:14-15 saying, “for this cause (reason) I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of (from) whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” If you are a believer, God is your Father and you are named after Him. You may be wondering what this means as most of us are more familiar with our earthly names which we have heard so much over the years and responded to than we are with our spiritual name. In fact our identity can sometimes be so wrapped up in our earthly name or titles much more than our spiritual names and titles. It should not be so as our spiritual names and titles given to us by our Heavenly Father carry much more weight in heaven and on earth shaping our destiny, recognised by all spiritual forces and lasting forever. You need to know who your Father calls you more.

1 John 3:1 says, “see what an incredible quality of love the Father has given us, that we should be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!..” I  love the strong positive reinforcing statement, And so we are! No questions asked, You are named by the Father as a child of God! No greater honour, no greater title, no greater privilege could have been bestowed on you. It outstrips any earthly title and whilst it may not always be recognised by those of the world humanly it is recognised by God and it is recognised in the heavenlies. Your spiritual name displays it’s magnificence here on earth in the same way Jesus named the Son of God showed the beauty of the glory of His Father. 1 John 3:1 goes on to say, “…the reason that the world does not know, recognise or acknowledge us is that it does not know, recognise or acknowledge Him.” But who cares who the world chooses to recognise? When our Heavenly Father whose name we  bear recognises us, calls us His heirs, gives us an inheritance and has defeated every principality, power and dominion in heaven and on earth for us. Who cares? When our Heavenly Father backs us up and has made us like Him here on earth full of His power and His spirit. You are in the world but not of the world!

You need to daily have a renewed mindset about who you really are? You need to know your real name, hear God calling you every time by your name, and stand up aright with your head held high! You need to know that everything you are entitled to in Christ is because you have been named, ‘a child of God’, by your loving Father.

And when asked, when challenged by anyone or any situation in this world be ready to boldly answer , ‘I am a child of God! My Father is God Almighty! So I declare my Fathers will, I am healed, I am prosperous and I am doing His will for my life in this world, move out of my way in Jesus Name!!!!!!’

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