The Hand Of Jesus

"We're not God-inside-minded."

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

THE NAME of Jesus is nothing without Jesus. In the Scriptures, we are told He holds all authority (He is the highest authority). We are told He has given us His name, which holds authority. We tend to speak His name, though, without thinking of Him being present. We speak His name to get what we want, most of the time from our personal desires, out of frustration or anger, and not from the Spirit.

A name represents a person. To use a person’s name as authority without their being involved, absent of relationship and agreement, is theft. We cannot justify it because we are saved, yet we spend no time with Him, talking to Him. Too much is done in defense with our thinking set on God’s Presence (His help) being outside of us. We are not God-inside-minded. I heard this term used years ago, and it comes back up in me lately as powerful Truth.

Jesus loves us and will reinforce what we are using His authority to enforce. But He isn’t way up in heaven, He lives in us. We can speak to Him, and He will hear it. For our needs, for our frustrations, we are told to talk to God, to hold conversation, to give Him thanks and to rejoice. But continual prayer should be our manner of life. It should be a lifestyle. Many times, the Spirit has wisdom for us, steps we can take that will bring peace and solve what we’re up against, but instead of listening and obeying, we’re shouting Jesus’ name at the problem.

What I’m saying is God must be involved. To speak the name of Jesus, even aware it belongs to Him, while skipping over prayer and worship (speaking His name should be worship), makes it no greater than my name or yours. People curse with His name all the time, and that does nothing. In fact, I’d say that’s an insult.

Strangely, the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 14 apply here. There, he talks about how powerless the worship of idols is and how unworried we should be over things dedicated to it. The Remedy Translation says, “Consider foods offered to idols: A mature Christian, whose trust in God and understanding of his methods are strong, recognizes that an idol is just a piece of wood or stone that cannot affect the nutrition of the meat offered to it, so they will eat the meat without worry (Romans 14:2).” He goes on to say he has no fears of eating it and of how we should behave to those who are fearful of it. But in this context, see that words to an idol are worthless.  

Jesus’ name in any Scriptural context comes with Jesus attached. To talk about people by name is to talk about who they are and what they’ve done. When they hear of it, they are affected by what is said. Jesus gave us His name because He will hear it and put into motion the solution, not strictly what we’ve said if our wishes aren’t God’s, but what is His will for us. This is another facet we must know. I can’t use Jesus’ name and expect Him to “do what I’ve said.”

He isn’t obeying me; I’m obeying Him, and as well as speaking His name, there must be trust in Him for the answer, patient endurance to abide in His Presence while I’m waiting, and continual hope. We tend to speak His name and expect instant answers. The Holy Spirit wants us to mature. God is merciful, and He will strengthen us, always being Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of what we face. There, again, the name of God comes with God’s involvement, and it comes with knowledge and revelation. It isn’t a tool to be used but more of a handhold. He’s holding ours.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Ephesians 1:20-21)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com