At the Name of Jesus

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those 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 (NKJV)

It is my belief and conviction that throughout the ages of the Church the revelation of the name of Jesus has been the least understood. Though there have been those who grasped a little of that light, it has been difficult to pass it on from generation to generation.

I think this ignorance has prevailed because we have found it hard truly to believe what the Scriptures declare about Him and His power, and so we have let a veil remain over our minds concerning the power and use of the name.

But what if we dared to believe what the Word of God tells us, and stepped out to exercise our God-given rights in the use of the name? What manner of men would we be, and what exploits would we see? Another reason, I believe, that we have not fully grasped the potency of the name of Jesus is human pride. We like the glory that comes from doing things ourselves, even when it is a struggle most of the time. That is why we pray less than we should, seek God less than we should, and use the name of Jesus so casually. We are too proud.

The universal power God invested in the name of Jesus came through the humility and obedience of Christ. Everything in creation bows to that name. It is the only name in the universe that gets God's attention and moves Him to act. Everything God does today, He does in the name of Jesus. That is why earthlings can receive blessing, grace and help from God through the name of Jesus.

It is important, then, that we learn to humble ourselves and be obedient in using the name of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. That is how we can be effective for God and toward men. That name is the authority of the universe. Do you understand this, beloved? Men obey the laws set by governments and monarchies, but it is the name of Jesus that gives those governments and monarchies their authority. For the child of God to inherit the ability to wield that name means that he or she is the true authority in this world, and can come out victorious, because of that name, in every place where authority is exercised.

I am always conscious of the Lord and His presence, and I spend most of my waking days thinking of Him, communicating with Him and inquiring of Him; it has been my practice since I became a Christian. It does not mean I am always thinking about the Lord or the things of God, but hours do not pass without my engaging Him in some way. Recently I was working on my book, with music playing in the background, when a thought came: "Why don't you speak the name of Jesus with your mouth?" I paid it no mind at first, but the question came again, adding, "Make this your practice, and you will know power." I am convinced it was the Holy Spirit, who is passionate about glorifying Jesus and having His name declared.

I stopped working and read Philippians 2, and I saw it: the name of Jesus is the most powerful name in the universe, and if I want that power brought to bear in my life and situations, it must be on my lips. This is what attracts the power and help of God: the name. Heaven, earth and hell cannot deny that name.

I committed to saying the name of Jesus while working, eating, relaxing and everywhere, not for repetition's sake, but, among many reasons, to help my spirit and soul become more conscious of the resource God has given me in the name for functioning in this world, and to appreciate its power and relevance in the universe.

So I began intentionally, but without effort of the mind, to whisper "Jesus" while I worked, as you would when speaking in tongues. Then I noticed a surge of electricity-like power flowing through my right leg, which had suffered severe spasms in the night and left me limping that morning. Instead of being distracted from my work, I was more focused, and yet my consciousness was being drawn into the spirit realm. It was as if light were pouring into my soul concerning the name of Jesus.

This is how this reading was inspired. I admonish you, and challenge you, to imprint the name of Jesus on your consciousness, and see how drastically it changes your life. Begin by whispering that name for ten minutes, then move on to an hour, until you can do it everywhere and at all times, and your whole spirit, soul and body become saturated with a consciousness of the power of the name.

In my book Hagah there is a chapter of meditations on the name of Jesus. It will help you grow in your appreciation of the name of the Lord, and in using it in your life for His glory.