What's in a Name?

“Jude…the brother of James”

Jude v 1

Jude and James are both remarkable individuals. They both have books in the Bible attributed to them, they were both brothers of Christ and they both refer to themselves as a “servant of Jesus Christ”. James only refers to himself in that manner, while Jude further identifies himself as being the brother of James. This James was the pastor of the Church at Jerusalem, often referred to as James the Just. He was of such renown that in a council including Paul and Peter it was James who spoke the last words. As if James was to have the final word on the matter for his church. He was of such importance that Jude simply calls him “James” and expects all his readers to know which James he is referring to.

                What impresses me most about this is that Jude so openly acknowledges and refers to his kinship with James. This must mean that James was highly regarded for his faith and moral character. If I were writing a letter and wanted people to know exactly who I was I could do it in a variety of ways. But if I had a brother who was a no good scoundrel I clearly would not associate myself openly with him. But James is not like that, to mention his name brings to mind faith, love and Godliness. For this reason Jude readily admits to being the brother of James, wouldn’t you do the same?

                Our names a valuable to us, or at least they should be. It is worse to lose respect of you name and character than it is to lose possessions or wealth. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is better than precious ointment” Ecclesiastes 7:1. Scripture does not speak indifferent in regards to this. Your name, character and reputation are precious things. It is easier to lose a good name than it is to gain one. And a bad name can last for a long time, we think of Judas Iscariot.  A name such as that lives in infamy, and when others have that name they are introduced “Judas (not Iscariot)” John 14:22. Or we think of Benedict Arnold, a name in our country that is associated with being a traitor. When you hear that name it is immediately what you think of. We should live our lives as to represent Godliness and holiness. There is nothing that more tarnishes the splendor and glory of salvation than Christians who live like the world, or sometimes worse than the world. A bad reputation or name conflicts with our witness of the Gospel. Which is why Paul tells Timothy that a pastor must “have a good reputation with those outside the church” I Timothy 3:7.

“A cracked bell is not good to call men together, nor is a minister of cracked reputation fit to persuade other to holiness” – William Jenkyn

But a good name, and therefore good character, should be the aim in our lives. We should strive to have others in the Christian faith speak well of us. Not for ourselves but in order that others may “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:16 And just like the heroes of Hebrews 11, we can by faith obtain “a good report” Hebrews 11:2. To hear the names of Moses, Abraham, Paul and Peter bring to our minds great men of God. Can the same be said of us? May we live our lives in such a way that our friends and family would be happy and unashamed to identify themselves with us, just as Jude was of James so many years ago.