As a Christian, you share in the name of Christ. So live in a way that honors the reputation of Christ.
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada talking about Father’s Day coming up.
Some years ago Ken and I traveled to Maryland for an Eareckson family reunion and, oh, we loved visiting with scores of cousins and aunts and uncles. I was surprised and pleased that so many relatives remembered me by my childhood name. You see, I was named after my dad, Johnny Eareckson – he was always “Big Johnny” and I was “Little Joni.” My cousin Eddie to this day, whenever he emails me or posts something on my Facebook page, he’ll refer to me as “Little Joni.” I mean, it’s crazy – Eddie’s in his late 60s and a few years behind me, and he still thinks of me as his little cousin he’d play with when, in the summertime, our families would go beach camping together on the Delaware shore. So I guess I am still “little Joni.” Strange that it doesn’t bother me, it didn’t bother me at the reunion, and even now it doesn’t bother me, and my father, “Big Johnny,” has long since gone to heaven.
I have always considered it a privilege to share my father’s name because, in a way, it opens the door for me to share in his character and his reputation – and my father, Johnny Eareckson, was extremely well known and respected in the community. So, being “Little Joni” meant there were some big shoes for me to step into, ’cause I loved my Daddy. A kind man, a generous man, and bearing his name made me a part of everything he was. I was my Daddy’s namesake, and I loved carrying his name.
You know, I once read in a Bible commentary that the word “Christian” means “Little Christs.” What an honor to share Christ’s name! We not only share in his character – as we are transformed, day by day, into his image – we share in his reputation. Like Psalm 23 says, we’re led in paths of righteousness for “his name’s sake,” for the sake of his reputation. We’re the Son of God’s namesake – it means we live in a way that honors the reputation of Jesus. At heart, we would never want to do anything to smear his reputation or stain his good name. As Christians, that is, as, “Little Christs,” you and I bear the stamp of his character. It means we’re joyful people, people of hope; we’re peacemakers; we’re servants; we resemble Christ and the way he cares for the wounded; we’re prayerful, just as Jesus was. To share in the reputation and character of our Lord, we should sound like him – that is, our words should be gentle and filled with grace, thoughtful and prudent. When people find out that you are a Christian, they shouldn’t be surprised, like, “oh, my goodness, you mean he is a Christian? You’ve got to be kidding.” No, even before people get to really know you, they should already have an idea of who you are, what you stand for, and what you are like simply because you bear the precious name of Christ as a Christian.
So, if you were asked to describe yourself, what titles would be first on your list? That you are married or single, employed or unemployed? Or would you immediately respond, “I am a Christian, and I am happy to be known by him?” Friend, it’s like the old song that goes, “I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian; I’m not ashamed your name to bear. I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian; I’ll take you with me anywhere. I’ll tell the world how you have saved me, and how you gave me life brand-new; I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian, eternal life I’ll live with you.” So make that your motto today. And visit joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends