There is a good tradition in our world that almost everyone observes, regardless of nationality or religion. When a couple marries, the wife takes her husband’s last name. There is something meaningful in this act. It is a voluntary expression of the woman’s will, by which she shows the entire visible and invisible world that she belongs to a particular person. I have noticed that many women immediately begin adapting to their husbands and, from the first moment after the wedding ceremony, start calling themselves by the name of the man they love. And when children are born, they receive their parents’ last name.
There is something very important and meaningful for the spiritual world in this tradition. No matter how relatives, friends, or society may view such a union, even if they do not take it seriously, after two free people have said yes to each other in the sight of Heaven and society, they become husband and wife. The simple, short word yes radically changes a person’s life. That person no longer belongs only to himself or herself, but becomes part of the other half of a whole called a family—and, in God’s sight, ‘one flesh.’ Only death can separate this union. Unfortunately, however, death comes to many while they are still alive, and they endure the tragedy of a broken family, in which there are no winners, only victims condemned to suffer.
While I am living on my own, at a certain point God begins drawing me to Jesus and revealing to me the meaning of the events that took place at Calvary about two thousand years ago. I become interested and try to understand what happened by studying related materials. As I come to know the Great Sacrifice, faith is kindled in my heart. Suddenly I realize that Jesus is not merely the Savior of the world; He is my personal Savior. This discovery turns everything in my life upside down. Faith in Him begins to grow, and I seek to learn more about Him and draw closer to Him. A spiritual rebirth takes place in my heart, and I thirst to know God. I desire a relationship with my Heavenly Friend. His invisible presence brings me joy, and I decide to enter into a covenant with Him, begin a personal relationship, and become one family with Him. I receive water baptism, thereby fulfilling all righteousness, and take this step of faith.
Then something amazing happens in my life. I become a member of God’s family and am welcomed as a brother; in the sight of Heaven, I stand as a man of God—Christ’s own possession. I have the right to be called a Christian. This new name has a profound meaning in God’s sight. I am not merely a believer; I enter into a lawful relationship with the Son of God and become one with Him. We are family. I begin to know Christ more deeply, and I give Him full permission to know me, so that through this deep personal relationship I may bear fruit—or much fruit. And happiness enters my life.
The next brick in my little house of happiness is called ‘I belong to God.’ It is so simple and natural to bear the name of the One to Whom you belong by right of your choice, by right of creation, and by right of redemption. This is not merely a union between two lonely individuals; it is my return to the purpose of God that was placed within the first human being. Adam was created by God for God, but because of disobedience he was stolen from God’s family, thereby bringing immeasurable suffering to his Creator. Yet the Lord paid a very High Price to redeem humanity from the kingdom of darkness and return us to the Heavenly family. When this takes place, I belong to God twice over: by right of creation and by right of redemption.
I belong to God. To bear this name, to be called by it, and to be distinguished from the world by it is the greatest happiness. This name will always be mine, both in this world and throughout Eternity. No one and nothing will be able to deprive me of this status.
But the enemy of souls does not sit quietly and humbly watching me leave his power and, with God’s help, break the chains of sin. Satan does not want to lose me, and if he does lose me, he does everything possible to bring me back. He offers me a beautiful death in order to separate me from Jesus. This death has an enormous influence on people’s minds. It is presented as delicious wine, accompanied by all kinds of teachings and entertainment. It does not matter from which side I decide to taste this cup. It is poisonous everywhere, and it exerts its destructive influence upon my mind, separating me from my Savior.
Jesus saves me from death and the power of sin, but if I decide to return to them by flirting with Satan’s temptations, I have the right to do so. I am free to make any decision, but my freedom does not mean a return to slavery. My freedom gives me the right to life with God—to Eternal life with the Eternal Lord.
I belong to God. There is a special power in this name, and it fills my heart with an invisible awareness of unique protection, unique belonging, and a special relationship within God’s family.
It is important to understand that the key word in this statement is I. However this may be perceived, I am the object of God’s special interest throughout the entire Universe. When the Lord enters into a relationship with me, it is toward me personally that He cherishes the warmest feelings, shows the tenderest care, and pours out Eternal love, while always asking my permission for the deepest relationship. I have the right either to give Him permission to bless me or to refuse a relationship with Him because I am too busy.
The chief gift the Lord desires to bestow upon me is Agape love. It seeks that God-sized place in my heart so that it may rightfully occupy it completely. Yet even when presented with such an inviting offer, I am free to refuse the Creator and explain that I have bought new oxen and want to try them out, or that I have acquired a new field of activity and am going to examine it, or that I am entering a new union, or that something else of importance requires my attention.
What amazes and astonishes me most is God’s respect for my choice. Even though He has every right to me and all power over me, He takes my character and desires into account. He always asks politely whether He may enter my personal space in order to change something there.
I belong to God. This is absolute freedom; it is the highest authority, an Eternal seal, and personal belonging to my Heavenly Bridegroom. This name will be mine throughout Eternity if I remain faithful and allow the Lord to accomplish all His plans in me—if I permit Him to work in me both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
Heaven is my home, for I belong to God. God is my Heavenly Father, for I am His son, born for Him of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is my Savior and my lawful Bridegroom by right of His redeeming Sacrifice and by virtue of my choice and consent. I have every right to bear this Heavenly name and to show the world the beauty of our union through my transformed and sanctified character.
This brick fits perfectly into the wall of my little house of happiness, adorning it forever, for it becomes one with the Foundation and eternally gladdens my heart. I cannot imagine what I would become if I lost the right to this name. My entire little house would collapse.
Bible verses for this chapter:
1 John 3:1–3; Romans 8:14–18; Matthew 6:9; 18:3; Luke 11:2; Psalm 29:1; Matthew 5:9; Galatians 3:26–29; Acts 11:26; Isaiah 4:1–3; John 3:5–7; 1 Peter 2:4–5, 9–10; 4:14–18