This morning I woke up with a revelation about the name of Jesus.  It is not ironic since I am currently studying the book of Acts at school, but it amazes me how I can know something but not “know” it at the same time.

I know that there is power in the name of Jesus, but I just got it.  Our society has become afraid to speak his name.  We have become so afraid to share our faith and the Good News of what Christ did on the cross.  Fear of what people might think, instead of what God thinks.  The apostles walked so closely with God that miracles were performed and lives were saved.  We have been deceived in thinking that that same power that raised Christ from the dead over 2000 years ago is not available to us.

There is a reason that the name of Jesus is being persecuted in the Middle East and in all parts of the world.  It is the same reason that the early church was persecuted.  The name of Jesus has power and authority.  Jesus passed onto us believers that same power and authority, but we don’t use it.  If we used that authority, it would bring people to God just as it did in Acts.  The enemy would lose the power that we have given him in our lives.  If the name of Jesus had no power, the enemy wouldn’t be trying to snuff it out.  If the enemy wasn’t afraid, he would leave Christians alone.  He wouldn’t be working on getting Jesus out of our classrooms; out of our culture.

Other religions can practice their beliefs without persecution, its called tolerance.  You can be spiritual and you have become enlightened.  You speak about Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and you are judgmental or foolish.  In Acts 2:14-40, Peter addresses the crowd outside the upper room where the Holy Spirit had just rested upon the 120 waiting and patiently believing for what God the Father had promised through Jesus.  Peter who had been afraid of what people thought that he had denied Jesus 3 times; speaks boldly to the crowd sharing the Good News.  In Acts 4, Peter spoke with just boldness before the Sanhedrin that they did not know what to do with him.  They knew him as an ordinary man with little teaching who had just healed a lame man.  They tell him stop speaking the name of Jesus and he basically tells them no.  He then goes and shares what just happened with the other apostles and fellow believers; they proceed to pray for more boldness and more miracles to happen to bring people to Christ.

This morning I woke up with these thoughts.  I woke up singing the song, “There is Power in the Name of Jesus”.  I found myself praying for the boldness and faith like the apostles of the early church.  I got clear that the enemy has been trying for centuries to stop the spread of Gospel.  To stop people from discovering the love of God through Christ Jesus.  If I walked in the love and faith in what Christ did for me, I wouldn’t live in fear – “For perfect Love casts out all fear.”  My actions would be bringing Glory to God and drawing people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ spreading His love for humanity.

How will I share Jesus with others?  Will I allow fear to keep me from sharing this amazing gift that is free to anyone who will believe?