The Sunday News
Itai Chapunza
Genesis 17 verse 1 6
17 When Abraham was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers. “Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abraham; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
We have seen numerous instances where God has changed people’s names in order to work with them. The most common in the Bible is Apostle Paul whose name was previously Soul. His name had to change because names have power. Names are spiritually charged. Apart from Christ, you become what your name suggests. They carry history that affects our future. The meanings of names manifest in our everyday lives. It is important for you to have a new identity before you begin to work with God. It is a vital part of the deal. You have to receive Christ. That is the only way to receive a new identity. Identity is more than just a name, it is who you are. It is what you are, yes, you are human, but what kind of human? That is what identity is.
This may come as a shock to most Christians because of the way Christianity has somewhat been associated with poverty and very low cost things. John D Rockefeller, a committed Christian was arguably the greatest businessman of all time. At one point in his life his net worth was estimated to be the largest in world history. He was a very committed Christian and many believe him to be the most benevolent person of all time. Much of his wealth was derived from Standard Oil, the most feared and powerful monopoly in American business history. At its height, “The Standard”, as it was called, controlled 90 percent of the US oil refining market and the profits it generated were beyond comprehension. John built the company along with several partners and together, these men generated more money than the world had ever seen at the time.
This business mogul was not just a Christian out of obedience of his parents. Rockefeller attended church every Sunday as well as prayer meetings on Friday nights for his entire adult life. He lived a balanced life, spending a tremendous amount of time with his family. His son John Jr and grandson John III were also very committed Christians that led extremely productive lives. By age 55, Rockefeller had completely retired from active business, using the next 42 years of his life to distribute his great wealth to the betterment of society and completely transformed philanthropy forever. He was a extraordinary Giant for God.
John’s mother was a major influence in his life and it was her faith in The Lord that led him at an early age to accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Through his sharp mind and his faith in Christ by age 27, he became the controlling owner of the largest oil refinery in Cleveland, a remarkable feat at the time and what he recounted as the catapult to his career. The oil industry at the time was known as a fly-by-night, unreliable business. Fires would easily ravage wells and refineries. They were cropping up like weeds and anyone with a few nickels in their pocket could get started in the business.
John saw it as the greatest business opportunity of his lifetime and seized it with everything he had. Attracting investment capital was extremely difficult but John’s tenacity overcame insurmountable obstacles to find money partners and banks willing to take a chance on him as he began to buy out competitors. And whoever invested in John were handsomely rewarded. The company that became the massive conglomerate Standard Oil never lost money while under his thumb and the dividends were outstanding. John was one out of billions of examples of the great things that can be achieved with Christ.
By now you are probably thinking two things, the first may be the significance of Mr Rockefeller in the matter at hand, and that since God changed Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham, then he has to change yours too.
Let’s get to the answers, when you are in Christ nothing happens by coincidence, John was not rich by coincidence, he was called into being a businessman. He did not go extremes in philanthropy by accident. Never forget the word says, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Feed my sheep speaks of two things, preach the word to them, and take care of them physically. That was John’s identity in Christ, wealth just helped him express it. That is why he was very stubborn about it even in times when he struggled. He knew who he was. When something is your calling, the inner strength to push on even when everyone is against you is inexplicable. The best way to simplify it is to say, the Holy Spirit fuels you on the inside, no one can see him fuel you, they just see the result.
Secondly, yes, God needs to change your name in order to work with you. But our name change transaction is slightly different. We receive our new name the moment we receive Christ. The power that existed in our negative, bad or ancestral names is made null the moment we receive Christ. He says clearly in the Word that if any man is in Christ, all things have passed away. He is a new creation. For example, when I received Christ, all the generational curses that have been associated with my surname or even my name become invalid for as long as I continue to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ in my life and I make his Word the standard of my life. The Bible says in Galatians 6 verse 15 “The moment He comes into my life I become a new creation. All old things have passed away.” You become a new being, with a new name. Because Jesus is within you, when God looks at you, he sees his son that He is well pleased in. Be who Christ said you are, you will look back at your life and smile.
