Friday, 08 August 2008
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Who Are You Named After? Make That Person Proud!
by mr pine
It was the fourth century B.C. Alexander the Great’s armies were rolling across the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and beyond. There were no soldiers more brutal and no leader more feared. One day, a young man was brought before the great leader visibly frightened. He was caught trying to desert his regiment which in the Greek Empire was punishable by death.
In the presence of such a ruthless and awe-inspiring leader, the young man buckled at the knees and begged for mercy, “Please, Great Emperor, have pity upon me.. I was scared and did not want to die.”
Alexander seeing that this young man was still yet unseasoned as a fighter softened as he considered his cries for lenience. This one was no more than a boy and understandably not hardened by the harsh ways of this world.
So, the great ruler came toward him and compassionately asked, “Young soldier, what is your name?”
Upon hearing the softness in his voice, the young man gained some measure of confidence. He thought that this was his chance to connect with the mighty Alexander, for his name was also Alexander. He was named so by his parents in honor of the Emperor.
“My name is Alexander!” the soldier stated with pride and assurance.
The Emperor stopped momentarily, “What is that you said?” he said with some concern in his voice.
“My name… is Alexander…” the soldier replied, this time with considerably less confidence.
The Emperor, now visibly upset, asked once again, “What is your name?”
“Alexander… my lord… I was named for you by my parents…” he replied wondering what he said to anger the Emperor so.
In disgust Alexander the Great looked down upon the young man and barring his teeth he said, “Young man, either change your name or change your conduct!”
This is my best recitation of a story I once heard in a sermon by R.C. Sproul. It is purely fictional, but he was using it to drive home a point. In this story Alexander the Great demanded that his name never be associated with cowardice. What the young man thought was his badge of honor was really the thing that condemned him in the end. He did not live up to the name. He was unaware that along with the name came certain responsibility. Sproul was saying that we do the same thing with the name “Christian.”
In this country and society, carrying that name is about as significant as a fraternity we belong to or as an allegiance to a sports team. So you’re a Christian… that’s all fine and good – until it conflicts with something you want, then it very neatly folds into a nice little package that you could put in your back pocket until it’s needed again. Attending church does not make one a Christian. Having Christian friends does not make one a Christian. Owning a Bible and knowing how to sing some Christian songs does not make one a Christian. Being on the praise team does not make one a Christian. Where do you find your identity? In your work? In your social life? In your family? Or in Christ? And no, there is no duality here. It is one way or another.
What if it were Christ in this story?
Christ: Your road has been long and your way hard… what is your name young traveler?
Me: Christian!
Christ: What is that you said?
Me: Christian?
Christ: What is your name?!?
Me: I proclaimed it to all my friends and wore it on my t-shirts… my name is Christian…
Christ: I do not know you. Either change your name or change your conduct!Do you know who are you named after?
What do you associate the term "Christian" and the name "Christ" with?
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Comments (37)
I don't thank being named after a good friend or a grand parent has anything to do with living up to that person..or what they did or didn't do with their lives, If we were given a strong name then live strong, if the name is weak, then make it strong. I was named after my grandmother,(Annechien) she was a very arrogant,hard nosed, overbearing woman, And I do not want to be like her,I hope God has given me more of a compassion ant heart and more sensitive out look into life and to those around me.......
Lisa...short for Elisabeth, a version of Elizabeth... which means Consecrated by God.
And Joy because I'm a joy to my parents.... I hope.
;) Nah, I know I am. I only wish I had one ounce of the grace that Elizabeth from the Bible held...
My name is Marie Bernadette. :) I'm named after the saint from Lourdes. She saw the Virgin Mary in different visions throughout her young life, and although she was the only one to ever see her, she believed completely in what she was saying. A myriad of different miracles occurred in Lourdes. It's a pretty sweet story, because my own name can often remind me to put my complete trust in Christ, just like my patron saint.
of course, if you go by straight meaning, my name means "Bitter and brave as a bear". I must prefer the true story! :D
I don't know where my parents got my first name from, but I got my middle name from my maternal grandmother. I used to not like it so much, but I love her and because of that I am proud of it, and I will probably pass it on to my daughter.
Being Christians doesn't mean we are perfect--it means our Father is! I associate Christianity with trying to live more like Christ every day.
I love my name, which means Precious One. I asked my mom how she decided on the name and was told that she always liked it.
Growing up I hated it until in my 40's when I found the meaning and fell in love with God over again. I always felt like I never measured up and that I was less than. At just the right time God had a name book to be placed in my hands that showed the spiritual meaning as well as a scripture verse. From that day on I have clung to the fact that I am HIS precious one. He knew me before I was placed in my mother's womb, I was fearfully and wonderfully made. His thoughts towards me are PRECIOUS..(Psalms 139:13-14,17) He has great plans for my life. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans for a future and a hope(Jer. 29:11).
To God be the glory, for ever and ever.
Is it possible to make the band Boston proud?
I was named after my grandmothers. My dad's mom's name was Rosa Shaw, and my mom's mom name was Christina, so my parents named me Shawna. It's unfortunate that I never got to meet my dad's mom =[
AMEN!!! I heard a sermon about that today on TV. It is so true! Great post!!! Lord bless you!
I was named after the character Holly Sutton Scorpio from General Hospital. :: shrug.::
Alexander was not a good role example himselfl being a brutal man quite unlike the film image. Thousands of slaves were castrated so he could fulfil his homosexual lust on them! Countless thousands died because of his desire to conquer. No, not a man I would want to be named after.
I'm named after nobody. I was given this name by my mum's gynaec because my parents couldn't freeze on a single name for me. And the funny part is, my name has a meaning. It means 'having no name' in Hindi.
Thought provoking.