Lift up and exalt His name

For many people, the love and security of family is highly treasured and sometimes sadly missed. But all those in Christ can know the joy of being part of an eternal family.

to all who did receive Him, who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  – John 1:12

We cannot earn this privilege, but it comes when we receive Christ as our personal saviour and believe in His name.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He begins with the instruction to call God our father and to make much of His name.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. – Matthew 6:9

He could have said My father who is in My heavenly home, but instead, He connects us to Him and all of the family of believers when He says OUR father. In saying this, Jesus instantly included all who believe into the same family. We are connected to Christ himself and accepted in the beloved. We have a place to call home with our father in heaven, prepared by Christ too.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. – John 14:2,3

We are not naturally born children of God, we are born again as children of God as we accept Him as lord and saviour. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can now see God as our loving Heavenly Father. If He is our father, then we are his children, his family, not just servants or slaves to his will, but partakers in building up the family and His name.

The connection we have is a covenant bond with our saviour which cannot be broken. It is a unique and precious relationship which it eternal.

But what does ‘hallowed be thy name’ mean? It means to set apart, make unique, to sanctify or make holy. Of course, we cannot make God any more holy than He is by anything we say or do. However we can live in a way which shows His holiness to the world in which we live.

As Christians who call Him our father and identify with His name, are we always representing Him well and showing how wonderful He is in what we do?

This is very much a call to act in a right way, so that people notice the difference in us and give glory to God. To live holy lives is also a command.

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:15,16

This is a struggle, but we must do all we can because Jesus commands it. We must remember that as we walk through this world, WE CARRY HIS NAME!  It may be that the only way people see Jesus Christ, is through us who call ourselves Christ like ones.

Perhaps we could all commit to saying a short prayer before everything we did. ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in what I’m about to do.’

Before every conversation, – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in this conversation’.

Before we watch a TV program, – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in what I’m watching and in my thoughts and desires’.

Before we get in the car, – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in this journey’.

Before we go to work, – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in the way I represent you in my attitude toward my colleagues’.

Before we answer someone being disrespectful to us, – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in my words, wisdom and behaviour’.

Before we speak with our husbands, wives, children and other family members etc. – ‘Lord be lifted up and exalted in the way I show your love toward those I love’.

If we as Christians committed to doing this with all sincerity, we may end up being more Christ-like and bringing glory to His name.

Your heavenly father has a home for you and He is exalted in your life when you show the world how holy He is through your words and actions.