IT’S ALL IN A NAME
“He calls his own sheep by name.”
John 10:1–3 (AMP)
There is something powerful about being called by name.
A name is more than a word. It can carry identity, history, responsibility, authority, intimacy, and belonging. From the beginning, God demonstrated the significance of names. When God created Adam, He gave him a name, and then entrusted him with the responsibility of naming the things placed under his care.
Naming can demonstrate authority, but it can also reveal intimacy.
Think about the names we use for the people we love—Pookie, Pumpkin, Peaches, June Bug, or some other special name that only those close to us may use. There is something personal about being known by a name that comes from a place of relationship.
That is what makes John 10:3 so powerful:
“He calls his own sheep by name.”
Jesus doesn’t just know the crowd.
He knows you.
He knows your name.
He knows your story.
He knows where you’ve been.
He knows what you’ve survived.
And most importantly, He knows who He created you to be.
DON’T LET THE THIEF NAME YOU
Jesus warned us about the thief who doesn’t come through the door. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
Sometimes the enemy doesn’t have to destroy you physically to accomplish his purpose. He can begin by attacking your identity.
He may try to convince you that you are the name someone else gave you because of what you have experienced.
Weak.
Lazy.
Failure.
Promiscuous.
Unworthy.
Rejected.
Unlovable.
But you must be careful about agreeing with labels that God never placed on you.
Don’t become the “-ER” in your own life.
You may lie—but don’t become a liar.
You may cheat—but don’t become a cheater.
You may fight—but don’t become a fighter.
You may sin—but don’t allow sin to become your identity.
There is a difference between what you did and who you are.
The “-er” can turn an action into an identity. When we repeatedly practice something, we can begin to believe that it defines us.
Don’t fall for the trap.
BREAKING THE POWER OF THE LABEL
Sometimes these labels can travel through generations.
A person can inherit patterns, beliefs, behaviors, and even words that have been spoken over their family for years. The enemy wants you to believe, “This is just who we are.”
But your history does not have the final authority over your identity.
Your family history may explain some things about you, but it does not have permission to define everything about you.
The Shepherd has the final word.
The thief comes to steal your joy, your confidence, your hope, your faith, and your sense of worth.
He comes to kill your vision, your peace, and your spiritual vitality.
He comes to destroy your identity, your dreams, your purpose, and your expectation of abundant life.
But Jesus said:
“I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.”
—John 10:10 AMP
WILL YOU KNOW YOUR NAME WHEN IT’S CALLED?
This is the question we must ask ourselves:
When Jesus calls your name, will you recognize His voice?
There are so many voices competing for our attention.
The voice of our past.
The voice of rejection.
The voice of trauma.
The voice of fear.
The voice of people.
The voice of our mistakes.
And sometimes, the voice of our own flesh.
But Jesus said His sheep hear His voice.
The Shepherd calls His own sheep by name.
That means your identity must become rooted in knowing the Shepherd—not merely knowing what others have called you.
For every label that limits you, God has a name that restores you.
You are:
A Child of God.
Chosen.
Adopted.
Forgiven.
Redeemed.
Justified.
Free.
Anointed.
A branch of the True Vine.
How amazing is it to be called by name by the One who created you?
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS
There is power in a name—but there is no name like the name of Jesus.
Philippians 2:10 tells us that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
Acts 4:12 declares:
“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved.”
—Acts 4:12 AMP
Jesus didn’t simply tell us His name.
He revealed who He is.
I AM the Bread of Life.
He is the One who sustains our spiritual hunger.
I AM the Light of the World.
He leads us out of darkness and gives us the light of life.
I AM the Door.
He is the entrance into salvation and relationship with the Father.
I AM the Good Shepherd.
He protects, provides, leads, and knows His sheep by name.
I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
He has authority over life and death and gives eternal life.
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
He is the way to the Father.
I AM the True Vine.
When we remain connected to Him, we can bear fruit for the Kingdom.
Jesus’ name speaks before He ever enters the room.
There is authority in His name.
There is salvation in His name.
There is healing in His name.
There is deliverance in His name.
There is power in His name.
BY HIS NAME
By His name, you were chosen.
By His name, you are being changed.
By His name, you are redeemed.
By His name, you are forgiven.
By His name, your debt has been paid.
The enemy may call you by your past, but Jesus calls you by your purpose.
The world may identify you by your mistakes, but Jesus identifies you by your relationship with Him.
People may remember what you did, but God knows who you are becoming.
So today, make a decision:
I will not answer to every name that has been spoken over me.
I will listen for the voice of my Shepherd.
I will know His voice.
I will know His Word.
I will know His character.
And when He calls my name, I will answer.
Because it really is all in a name.
And there is no name like the name of Jesus.
REFLECTION
1. What labels have you allowed others—or your past—to place on your identity?
2. Have you been answering to a name God never gave you?
3. What does Scripture say about who you are in Christ?
4. Are you able to distinguish the Shepherd’s voice from the voices competing for your identity?
5. What name or identity does God need to restore in you today?PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for knowing me by name. Thank You that my identity is not determined by my past, my mistakes, my failures, or the labels others have placed upon me.
Help me recognize Your voice above every other voice. Give me discernment to know when the thief is trying to steal my identity and convince me to become something You never called me to be.
Remind me that I am chosen, redeemed, forgiven, justified, free, and Your child.
Teach me to answer when You call my name.
And above all, help me know the power, authority, and salvation found in the name of Jesus.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.