GodReflection: Power Words

Cute, fussy, smart, introvert, or extrovert, labels begin their sticky adherence in the nursery. Labels continue in Elementary School to highlight desired and undesired characteristics.

By the end of Middle School and High School, our labels can ooze with even greater self-condemnation. We start to believe the labels.

We begin to think of ourselves as can or can’t people. Even worse, we see unworthy stamped deep into our personhood. Both negative self-adhered labels and those of self-assessed grandeur make me less than God wants me to be.

Truth is that most life-adhered labels are harmful.

I much prefer God’s labels to the faulty labels I’ve pasted on myself.

I especially like the way God labels all subjects of the King.

Scripture refers to Jesus adherents as the believers, the chosen, the church, the body, the disciples, the elect, the faithful, the followers, and the way. I’m sure I overlooked other descriptive labels.

Each word is an accurate description of the Christ follower. Each is a label of honor. These labels don’t cause me to limp

I believe in Jesus alone as the way to the Father. I believe He chose me. I belong to Jesus’ church, which makes me a member of His body.

Disciples follow the teacher.

The assignment is precise. Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

I belong to the elect of God.

Matthew, Mark, Paul, and Peter use the label elect to describe God’s children. I am elect by the Creator. I could do worse don’t you think?

The blood of Jesus that covers my sin allows me the label faithful as one of my descriptors. No, I am not sinless. However, because of my obedience to Jesus He counts me as faithful.

I am a follower of Jesus.

Follow, like the other labels demands complete allegiance.  To follow demands singular focus. Jesus doesn’t share follow-ship.

I belong to the Way.

It is the Way of Jesus. I want other to know God and join in the call to follow the Way.

These are power packed labels. They never harm. They build up. They take the sting from all prior labels of doubt, fear, and self-pity.

God’s labels are words of power.

These labels move mountains. These labels flow from faith. I want to do a better job in allowing God’s labels to define me with whatever time He allows my earth walk to continue.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Label.

Gary@GodReflection.org