Living Worthy of the Name Christian

Summary

The preacher opens with a sobering picture: everything we gather in life, even millions, stays behind at the grave, and so do the names on our passport and headstone. Only one name goes with us into eternity - the name we earn by how we live. He calls it the new name Christ promises to give, the true identity without which no one enters the kingdom of heaven.

Drawing on 2 Corinthians 3:2, he reminds the church that believers are a living letter, known and read by everyone around them. We are not invisible; people watch how we walk, speak, endure, react, and love one another. Each of us is either a good example or a stumbling block that pushes others away from the faith. Quoting Ephesians 4:1-2, he urges the church to walk worthy of their calling, in humility, gentleness, and patient love.

The name people give us is earned by our actions: someone who keeps lying becomes a liar, someone who steals becomes a thief, and no pretty word can disguise it. He warns against the contradiction of humble pride, in which there is no holiness at all, and notes that even God names us by who we truly are - as when He called Job blameless and upright before Satan.

Key Points

• Wealth, status, and the names on our passport stay at the grave; only the name we earn by how we live goes with us into eternity.
• Christ promises a new name to those who follow Him - the true identity that opens the kingdom of heaven.
• Believers are a living letter, read by everyone around them through how they walk, speak, and love.
• Every Christian is either a good example or a stumbling block, drawing others to Christ or driving them away.
• Walk worthy of your calling, in humility, gentleness, and patient love (Ephesians 4:1-2).
• Our actions earn our reputation; no flattering word can hide a liar, a thief, or someone who is humbly proud.
• God names us according to who we really are, as He called Job blameless and upright.