When I Hear My Name

Romans 9:24-26

I remember Awards Day when I was in grade school, breathlessly waiting for my name to be called. I was confident that one of those shiny medals or gleaming trophies was meant for me! Yet, one by one, children who had rightly earned the awards had their names announced from the voice at that all-important podium.

Names mean something, don’t they? Just hearing our name, research has shown, increases our brain activation.

In the book of Romans, Paul may not have had this research, but he was keenly aware of the importance of a name. When we look at our key verses, Romans 9:24-26, we see that he took this opportunity to remind the Jews of two important names from the Old Testament, Hosea 1:6-8. Hosea and his “whoreish” wife, Gomer, had several children. The name of one daughter was, No Mercy, and a son, called Not My People.  Certainly, not your average names!

Why on earth would Paul, in the midst of sharing about God’s sovereignty and grace bring up such a seemingly painful and unfair portion of their heritage? Quite simply, Paul reminded the Jews that while a name has implications, God in His sovereignty can restore any of us from anything. These names from Hosea were of God’s choosing. But God always chooses with a purpose and that purpose was to display His ultimate love and ability to restore.

Can we agree that a name isn’t just a name when it’s your name? It is part of who you are. It identifies you and sets you apart. God used these two names for a purpose. Read the short book of Hosea if you don’t believe me. Paul highlights these names for a reason.

These names, No Mercy and Not My People, are a natural picture or a type of a spiritual reality. Many Jews couldn’t grasp this truth. It was their belief that they were God’s chosen people, and they were, but sin, their sin, had separated them from the Holy God whom they claimed as their own. In reality, most of the people of Israel could have been labeled with these names. They had turned their backs on the one true God.

In addition, Paul continued to clarify that Gentiles, too, were and are a part of God’s salvation plan. (Romans 9:24) Not a welcomed truth to most Jews.

Paul quoted Hosea to call all Jews and Gentiles, as well as you and me, to first identify with Christ solely for our salvation. But he didn’t stop there. When we choose to repent, He restores us, and calls us by a new name.

Those who were not my people,

I will call My people,

And her who was not beloved,

I will call Beloved,

And in the very place where it was said to them,

“You are not my people,”

There, they will be called

Sons of the Living God.”

Romans 9:25-26

What name defines you? In the natural, your given name, right?

But what about a spiritual name? Could you say that God has given you a new name because of your faith in Christ?  A Christian? Certainly.

But unfortunately, we know that emotionally we can carry many names that will never be heard from a podium in an auditorium yet scream just as loud in our hearts and minds. These names can be a real part of our identity. Do any of these sound familiar?

Failure.  Weak.  Unlovable. Unimportant.  Not worthy.  Unattractive.  Not good enough. Rejected.

I’ve heard those names, even as a Christian.

But may I share with you some new names that I’m getting acquainted with?

Chosen.   Deuteronomy 14:2, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:3-5

Redeemed.  Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 44:22, Luke 1:68

Justified.  Romans 5:1, Romans 3:28-30, Romans 8:30,

Sanctified. 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:10-14

Appointed.  Jeremiah 1:4-5, John 15:16  

Equipped.  John 17, Luke 4:17-19, Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 3:17

Called.  2 Timothy 1:9, Romans 8:28-30, Isaiah 42:1

Loved.  Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 3:18-19, Psalm 36:5-7, 1 John 3:1, John 3:16

Because of Christ, these are our new names: My people, Beloved, Sons of the Living God.

Now I hear my name and rejoice!

Now unto Him who is able…

Jeanna