Hello, My Name Is
Discover your true identity in Christ. Your past does not name you; God calls you His child, loved, forgiven, and set free to live abundantly. Most of us have introduced ourselves a thousand times. Yet deep inside, many of us carry another introduction we never say out loud. It sounds more like, “Hello, my name is Regret,” or “Hello, my name is Not Good Enough.”In 2012, Christian artist Matthew West released “Hello, My Name Is” on his album Into the Light. The song grew out of a letter from a young man named Jordan. Jordan had been a gifted athlete with a college scholarship. However, after he broke his ankle, he began abusing prescription pain pills, and addiction took hold of his life. For years, the first sentence of his story was simply that he was a drug addict.
Then God stepped in. Through his time at Teen Challenge, Jordan came to see that the label “addict” did not have to define him for the rest of his life. Instead, he began introducing himself as a child of the King. Matthew West turned that transformation into a song about tearing off old name tags and receiving a new name in Jesus.
Today, let’s discover what God says your name is.
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Opening Worship Song
Before we open God’s Word, let this Hillsong Worship anthem prepare your heart. “Who You Say I Am” celebrates the freedom and belonging we receive as God’s children, which is exactly where today’s message is headed.
Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship
Scripture Focus
First, Jesus reveals who is trying to steal your life and why He came:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
— John 10:10 (ESV)
Next, John tells us how our name changes:
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
— John 1:12 (ESV)
Paul adds that the Holy Spirit Himself confirms our new identity:
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
— Romans 8:16–17 (ESV)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shows us how a child of God prays in the hardest moment:
“And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'”
— Mark 14:36 (ESV)
Finally, Hebrews reminds us that we need one another to remember who we are:
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
— Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)
Together, these verses tell a beautiful story. The enemy tries to steal our identity, but Jesus gives us a new name that no one can take away. So what does that mean for your life today?
Life Application: Finding Your Identity in Christ
The Name Tags We Wear
Most of us have worn a paper name tag at a meeting or a church supper. However, the labels we carry in our hearts are far heavier. Some read “failure.” Others say “divorced,” “addict,” “too old,” or “not good enough.” Over time, those words can start to feel permanent.
Jordan knew that feeling well. For years, his addiction was the first thing he said about himself. Yet his story did not end there, and neither does yours.
Who Writes Your Name?
Jesus warned us plainly in John 10:10. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. One of his favorite tactics is stealing your identity. He takes your worst moment and whispers that it is who you really are. Consequently, many believers live far below the abundant life Christ came to give.
But God has the final word. John 1:12 tells us that everyone who receives Jesus and believes in His name is given the right to become a child of God. Notice that this is a gift, not a wage. You did not earn your new name, and therefore your old mistakes cannot cancel it.
Furthermore, Romans 8:16–17 says the Holy Spirit confirms this truth deep within us. You are not merely forgiven. In fact, you are family, an heir of God and a fellow heir with Christ.
Abba in the Hard Places
Living from this identity does not mean life becomes easy. In Gethsemane, Jesus faced the cross with deep anguish. Even so, He prayed, “Abba, Father.” He trusted His Father’s love in the darkest night of His earthly life.
Because you are God’s child, you may pray the same way. When the old labels come shouting back, answer with a simple prayer: “Abba, Father, I belong to You.” Paul reminds us that suffering with Christ is part of the path. Likewise, it is the path that leads to sharing in His glory.
Help Someone Remember Their Name
Hebrews 3:13 adds an important piece. We are told to encourage one another every day. Why? Sin is deceitful. It slowly convinces us that the old name is the true one.
That is why you need brothers and sisters in Christ, and they need you. Perhaps a family member is wrestling with regret. Maybe a coworker believes he is beyond hope. A short call, a handwritten note, or a kind word can remind them who God says they are.
Here are a few simple ways to live this out today:
- Read John 1:12 aloud and place your own name in the verse.
- Write down one old label you have carried, and then write “child of God” right beside it.
- Send a word of encouragement to someone who is struggling.
Your New Name Today
Friend, your past is real, but it is not your name. Jesus paid for your sin, rose from the grave, and welcomed you into His family. As a result, your identity in Christ is secure.
So today, when the old voices ask who you are, you can answer with confidence. You are loved and forgiven. Better still, you are a child of the one true King.
Words of Encouragement
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self.”
— Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child
Manning’s words echo the Scripture we read today. Our truest name is not what we have done, but whose we are.
Prayer
Abba, Father, thank You for calling me Your child. Thank You for sending Jesus to give me life, and life abundantly. Lord, You know the old labels I still carry. Please help me lay them down at the foot of the cross. When the enemy whispers lies, remind me by Your Spirit that I belong to You. Give me strength to trust You in hard places, just as Jesus did. Also, open my eyes to someone who needs encouragement today, and give me the words to remind them of their name in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Worship Song
We close with the song that inspired today’s devotion. As you listen, notice how it moves from the old labels of regret and shame to a new name given by grace. Let it send you into your day remembering who you are in Jesus.
Hello, My Name Is – Matthew West
Keep Growing in Christ
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Acknowledgments
We thank:
- Pixabay for free, high-quality artwork.
- AZ Quotes for inspirational quotations.
- YouTube Gospel Music for timeless worship songs.
- We recommend GotQuestions.org for further Bible study.
Have a wonderful day and keep your eyes on Jesus and your spirits high.
Dave
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.