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God First, Man Second: Love Series, part 3



There is so much name-calling in our world. It might be ok if they were nice names. But sadly, as my childhood would attest, they are not. It might even be ok if we left such things behind as children. But sadly, again, we do not. Whether it is the more subtle way we, as adults, barrage each other with names, or the way each of us chooses to live in response to those names, we live the results of these names.

As children, we lack subtlety. The name calling is cruel and with no concern for feelings. If a child sees it a certain way, he calls it out. Big noses, facial blemishes, funny smells, awkward laughs; children will notice it all and identify one another by those differences.

And as much as we'd like to think we mature, our calling out of political differences, awkward mannerisms and choices will be called out. Then we identify and distinguish and place people in boxes that we don't often or easily let them out of. Even in the church, we wield our judgments like we hold a Jesus-cushioned hammer.

But here's the thing about name-calling. We allow it to become our identity. But we've already been given an identity. From God. I's one we should embrace before and above any identity given to us by one another. Even the good variety.


See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ~1 John 3:1


Here's the truth. When we place God first, we value His words first. He has called us His children. The Apostle John emphasizes it with exclamation points! That is what we are! If you know God, you can believe this.

It's the only name-calling we need to listen to.
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