by Servant Mind

Created on: June 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 14, 2008

What's in a name?

I write these words in Love, and with the hope that they challenge your thinking and inspire you to study as a workman in the Lord.

Have you ever wondered what the Creator's name is? According to Jewish tradition, we're not allowed to speak it. "Why not?" you ask. Well, as tradition dictates, we are not worthy. I know I'm not. Some say that the name He called Himself (I AM) cannot be spoken because the speaker will be construde as calling himself "I AM."

Our Creator has a title which we are told to address Him by. Do we? Not from what I've seen and heard. In fact, after studying and listening for years, I've noticed one common thread in churches; pastors and congregations have all called Him "God" (and don't intend to stop). In fact, the whole world calls Him "God". Even if they don't know who He is!

Is the term "God" a name? Not as far as He is concerned. Is it what He told us to address Him as? No. Modern translations of the Word use the term "God" throughout, while the original texts do not contain this term. The words Almighty, the Deity, the Creator, and the Self-existent One are used.

Why then, do we insist on calling Him "God". Do we mean to say that He is our God? If so, why don't we just say that? Convenience. We are a society of convenience. If it's not convenient, we don't want to do it; if it's not easy, we won't have it. We want comfort. We want catchy phrases and buzz-words to make it more interesting for us. Why do you suppose we have adopted this attitude? The Word says we are so easily turned away to our own lusts. That would be our flesh at work in us. But, when you are truly anointed as His, and set apart as a saint of the Lord, the flesh shrinks away and you realize He's not God, but "Father!" The Messiah told us to call Him "Father." Do we obey what the Messiah says? No. He spoke of the Father over one hundred and fifty times in the New Testament. Should we just ignore this fact, or should we change?

Try this exercise, the next time you read the Bible books: insert the term, "Father" or "the Father" anywhere you see the word "God". Then, tell yourself that it doesn't make it more personal for you. You can't! If we address Him as Father, we are saying to Him, "I will obey your words and seek to be near you." We don't like to obey or ask for help. We can do it ourselves, right? That's what the world teaches us but, that is not the truth.

Did you grow up with a human father? If not, would you like to have? If you did, was he there

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