James 2:7
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"Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?"

Do they not blaspheme that noble name

The "noble name" is the name of Christ. When we dishonour the poor, we cast aspersion on the name of God because the poor wear His name.

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

by which you are called?

God calls Christians to represent His name. We carry the identity of Christ in all we do.


Principle:

Christians represent the name of Christ in everything they do.


Application:

Christians represent Christ by carrying the name "Christian." We suffer by that name. We honor that name by what we do and dishonor it by what we do.

The name of Jesus Christ is the most honourable name in the world. It is a far greater label than "He is a player in the National Football League," or, "She plays for the Brazilian soccer team," or, "He is the President of the United States." God calls upon us to represent the name of Christ. We carry a great responsibility to stand for that name as best we can.

"Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:25-26).

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, ?You almost persuade me to become a Christian.'" (Acts 28:28).

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14).

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter" (1 Peter 4:14-16).

We live in a day of few distinctions. Political correctness tries to make everyone and all convictions the same. The mission of the Christian is to be distinct. Jesus Christ is not the same as everyone else so neither should His followers be the same. Most Christians want to fit into their culture. Their culture is more important to them than their mission. God calls upon us to distinguish the things that matter when we carry the name of Christ.

A person becomes a Christian by believing on the name of Christ.

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).