What’s in a Name

I thought rather than leave the following epistle on Jim’s blog, I would share my thoughts on what he was musing on over at, Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief. (I just feel real awful about God)

I love your real and honest plea for the Truth Bro, it is most refreshing.

Here's a real kicker to muse on, what you quoted here. “If you only see God as Father, you will balk when He has to render judgment. You'll only want to crawl into His lap, when maybe it's more appropriate at the moment to fall at His feet. (And even your idea of a "father" will be based somewhat on flawed human experiences.)
If you only see Jesus as your Friend (read: "Homeboy"), you are more likely to relate to Him with hi-fives and chest-bumping, and you won't show the proper respect that is due the Creator of the Universe.
If you only see God as a Judge, you will likely be legalistic, inordinately hard on yourself, and even harder on others--and you won't let yourself get emotionally close to God.
If you only see Jesus as the Bridegroom and a Lover--admittedly, that can get just plain weird." I see all of these tags, descriptions, metaphors and so much more in such simple words as Papa and Father!"

Not trying to be wise guy here at all, but without the Spirit making alive the person behind the name to and in me, what the heck does it even matter, what we call Him?

In my opinion so many have the T's crossed and the i's all dotted but without His Spirit bringing revelation to their little heart, of the One hidden within our tagged descriptions of Him, it’s just a name.

Barb,

I so loved what you said here, "but wasn't it God himself that asked to be called Jesus - a common name for a man in the form of a carpenter? Jesus said, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. It just seems to me that he came to smash some of our preconceptions of a God who is only to be reverenced."

The Almighty had been worshiped, revered, held in great awe etc etc, for a very long time, and here in the fullness of time he sends His Son Jesus to do what, reveal the Father, and to make His name known to us! Once again, we can use whatever name we deem is the 'right one' but along with what Jesus came to do in making His name known was going to mean squat without revelation to our heart.
Jesus was making God the All Mighty more approachable than He had ever been since the Garden, and here He is incognito in Jesus and people are slowly warming up toward this One who says, If you've seem Me, you've seen the Father Himself! I find it strange that there seemed to be NO disrespect or cheapening of who the Father was and is being vividly portrayed through the Son of God!!

I encourage any to feel free to share any additional thoughts you might have.

Rich