Ecclesiastes 7:1 KJV “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” (Authorized King James Bible)

Have you made a name with God? Or on the other hand, are you making a name for yourself?

What does making a name with God mean to you?

Do you think it’s your “good works” that give you a name with God? Those are just your “reasonable” services. Ephesians 2:10 KJV, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Do you think keeping the law or following all the ten commandments will give you a good name with God?  In Romans 6:14 KJV, the Scriptures say we are living under grace, and Romans 7:6 KJV we have been delivered (saved) from the Law. “But now” [after the cross], God is not punishing us for our sins. God is not placing us under “laws” and “commandments” right now. 

Why is God not placing us under the law and commandments? The reason is because we fail at it everyday. In “times past” [before the Cross], the Jews’ failed in “their” religion.

After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ [after the cross], Apostle Paul wrote, “We all come short of the glory of God.” We need God’s grace every moment Romans 3:23 KJV. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Since God knows we are doomed to failure, our Lord and Saviour paid the price for our sins with His blood… by the cross. God is “freely” offering grace and salvation to all Romans 7:6 KJV. “BUT NOW, we are delivered [saved] from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter/law.“ 

God is not imputing/punishing the trespasses of society, but God is “reconciling” the world unto himself 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV. “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” He is at peace with all our failures and all our sins once we accept His payment. He paid the price of sin with his blood. God came from heaven to earth to save mankind from our sins and to save us from our corruptible bodies. We all come short of the glory of God Romans 3:10 KJV . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”  

Therefore, keeping the Law nor “your righteousness” will give you a good name with God. There is none righteous, no, not one.  After the cross, we now serve God by the newness of the Spirit. We are no longer under the Law. Where there is no Law… there is no sin Romans 5:13 KJV. “but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Yet, sin is still wrong.  Romans 6:15 KJV “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Do you think the amount of money you have in the bank or the amount you have saved up in retirement gives you a good name with God?

Do you think it’s your social status, pedigree, or how rich or poor you are that gives you a name with God? Revelation 13:16 KJV summarizes that both the poor and rich will refuse salvation; they will refuse to submit to God. “And he (satan) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”

Do you believe those you see on TV, on the movie screen, in the entertainment industry, in the sports industry, or the music industry have more standing with God than yourself? On the other hand, are you inspiring for these same goals to make a name for yourself?

Of course there is nothing wrong with working in any of these industries. But what is your motivation? Will working in any of these industries promote sin? Is it to make an honest income?  Do you inspire to be praised or worshipped by others? On the other hand, is it to make a name for yourself? The bible calls this vanity and  idolatry Galatians 6:14 KJV. “But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Do you believe your popularity or title in the Christian ministry gives you a good name with God? For example, a pastor, a famous Christian musician or group. Unfortunately, even in the “so-called” church, we see this form of idolatry. Some people are looking to make a name for themselves. Some people sit in the pews worshipping singers, pastors, and first ladies. These people are  coveting titles and positions. 

Remember, Jesus only had 12 disciples. Yet, there were still crowds and groupies following Jesus Christ. They were following Him for what he could give them physically like food John 6:26 KJV. “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, “Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” Some people are following Jesus and flocking to the church for same  materialistic and vain reasons, today. Even today, in this age…in the DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, people have the same motives. 

TODAY GOD IS ONLY DISPENSING GRACE AND PEACE TO A WORLD OF SINNERS. GOD’S PLAN IS TO RECONCILE US BACK TO HIMSELF. HIS PLAN IS TO RESTORE ALL THINGS LIKE NEW. HE WANTS TO MAKE US WHOLE, PERFECT, AND COMPLETE! AMEN!

Finally, what exactly is a first lady?  The Scriptures instructs us to stand on truth and to stand on God’s word. The Scriptures say Eve was the “first” created woman so that makes Eve the “first lady.” How do people get these titles in the “church?” The so-called church of all places should be a place of humility. Yet, it looks worst than the secular world when it comes to selfish motivations, idolatry, vanity, and narcissism. Mother Theresa, First Lady, Father John are all titles for honor. There are showgoers and groupies in the  church as well.

How is this possible? It comes from having a respect of persons. The bible calls this kind of idolatry wicked & evil Romans 2:11KJV. “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

None of these things, nor having a respect of persons, nor your good works will “make a name with God.” Throughout all of the bible and all dispensations [times] in the bible, God clearly shuns respecting people.  Naturally, we respect our elders, parents, judges, government, kings; etc. However, it does not mean that these people have “made a name with God.” Their positions and titles have not made a name with God. 

Neither can Mother Theresa make a name with God by all her good works.  God is discerning the heart, not our works Matthew 7:22. KJV “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name DONE MANY “WONDERFUL WORKS”? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” You can not make a name with God by your  “works.”

God is clearly telling those in Matthew 7:22,  I don’t know you. They thought they made a name with God.  Imagine even today in the church we have religious people glorying in the fact that they are “PROPHESYING”  AND  “CASTING OUT DEVILS.”   They are glorying in “their” wonderful works only to be told by God in the end, “I NEVER KNEW YOU”. God in times past, before the cross performed many wonderful works [not man]  Psalm 40:5 KJV. “Many, O Lord my God, are THY wonderful works.”   After the cross, God is still performing the works [not man]. But now, the works performed [by God] are in our inner man [spiritual works] Philippians 1:6 KJV.  Have you made a name with God?

Noting: A concordance bible study of the word “But now” in Apostle Paul’s 13 epistles from Romans to Philemon will enlighten your understanding to what God is doing now [after the cross] in the dispensation of Grace.

The question then becomes why wouldn’t these things (like casting out devils and prophesying) give us a good name with God? Isn’t it a good work?  The answer simply is because God finished the “work” by the cross. He wants us to trust “his finished work” for salvation. Jesus performed the work by the cross and Jesus continues to perform the work in our inner man Philippians 1:6 KJV. “Being confident of this very thing, that [He] which hath begun a [good work] in you [will perform it] until the day of Jesus Christ].” It’s not our righteousness [self] that saves us. “Self-righteousness” produces pride. We are saved by “grace”  not works Ephesians 2:9 KJV. “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Additionally, God is not looking at titles, but God searches the heart 1 Corinthians 2:10 KJV. “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart he “divides” asunder the soul and spirit. 

How can we (the saved) stand before a mighty God at the Judgment Seat of Christ and honestly believe we can glory in our righteousness? GOD deserves glory and praise.  Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth, Jesus took on weakness (the flesh); God took on the form of a man, and died and then resurrected for the sins of his enemies. A mighty God took on the weakness of flesh without any sin.  

I doubt if I have anything to praise myself for in this life when I bow before my Lord and Saviour. I will be praising him for his work at the Cross! Like all the Saints in Revelation 19:1 KJV, I will be praising GOD! God forbid if I shall glory in anything but the cross!  Revelation 19:1 KJV “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:”

Proverbs 24:23  “These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”

James 2:9 KJV “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (Noting: the Body of Christ is not under the Law of sin. Jesus fulfilled the Law. Sin is not currently being imputed or charged; But now, [presently], God is dispensing grace). James is a Hebrew book of [prophesy]  written to the Jew about God’s future plan with the Jews. God has not finished his plan with the Jews. The Jews are fallen and blind in part.  This book is written to the remnant [the 12 Tribes of Israel]  James  1:1 KJV.  “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” Noting: the Law was always given to the Jews; [not the Body of Christ]  Romans 2:17 KJV, 1Corith. 9:20-21 KJV, Romans 2:14 KJV, Gal 2:19 KJV.

How do you make a name with God?

In conclusion, it’s not making a name with God that is important but where your name is written is more important.  Simply trusting the finish work of the cross (death, burial, and resurrection) is more important than making a name. After the cross, we are not trying to make a name. Jesus made a name over 2000 years ago by the cross & every knee will bow at His name. The moment you trust and believe His name and what Jesus did by the cross…then the Holy Spirit seals you and your “name” is written in the Book of Life.

Philippians 2:10 KJV “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” 

Philippians 4:3 KJV “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Let us, who are saved praise God and not men. Let us glory in the  finished work of Jesus Christ by the cross [not our works]. Jesus has made the name.  Revelation 19:1 KJV. “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God”.