We all carry labels. Some are positive, but many are negative – labels that chain us to our past and hold us back from becoming who we’re meant to be. These labels might come from others or from our own self-perception, but they have the power to define us if we let them. However, there’s good news: God’s power is always bigger than our past, and He has the ability to give us a new name, a new purpose, and a new future.
Think about the labels you carry. Maybe you’ve been called lazy, irresponsible, or a hothead. Perhaps you see yourself as inconsistent, unworthy, or a failure. These labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies, keeping us stuck in patterns we desperately want to break free from. But what if there was a way to shed these old identities and step into something new?
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This powerful verse reminds us that when we submit ourselves to Christ and seek His forgiveness, we become new creations. The old labels no longer define us – we have the opportunity for a fresh start.
Throughout scripture, we see examples of God giving people new names to signify their new identities and purposes. Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah, the father and mother of nations. Jacob the trickster became Israel, one who wrestles with God. Gideon, once a fearful man hiding in a cave, was called a “mighty warrior” by God. These name changes weren’t just symbolic – they were prophetic, speaking into existence the new reality God had for these individuals.
One of the most striking examples is Simon Peter. Once known for being impulsive and unreliable, Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock.” This new name came with a new purpose: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Despite his failures – even denying Jesus three times – Peter grew into his new identity, becoming a pillar of the early church and leading thousands to faith in Christ.
So how do we apply this transformative power to our own lives? Here are two key steps:
- Let God break the label that chains you back. Open your heart to what He wants to say about who you are in Him. This often involves confronting the lies we’ve believed about ourselves and replacing them with God’s truth.
- Grow into your new name. Once God reveals a new identity for you, take steps to live into it. This is a process that requires faith, perseverance, and a willingness to see yourself the way God sees you.
Remember, you are not defined by what others have called you or even by what you’ve called yourself. In Christ, you have a new name, a new purpose, and a new future. As Isaiah 62:2 declares, “The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.”
This journey of transformation isn’t always easy. It requires confronting our weaknesses and insecurities. But here’s a profound truth: God often does His strongest work through our greatest weaknesses. The Apostle Paul learned this lesson when he pleaded with God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God’s response? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Consider the story of Rahab from the Old Testament. Known as “Rahab the prostitute,” she seemed to have little hope for a respectable future. Yet when she encountered the God of Israel, everything changed. She took a courageous step of faith by hiding the Israelite spies, and God honored her faith. Not only was she saved when Jericho fell, but she went on to marry an Israelite man and became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ himself. From prostitute to great-grandmother of the Messiah – that’s the kind of radical transformation God specializes in!
It’s time to stop insulting God with our faithlessness. If we truly believe that God can do anything, why do we exclude ourselves from that equation? Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God sees beyond our current circumstances and labels. He sees the potential within us and has good plans for our lives.
As you reflect on these truths, ask yourself:
- What labels have I allowed to define me?
- How might God want to rename and repurpose me?
- What steps can I take to start living into my new identity in Christ?
Remember, you are the sum of your past, your present, and your future. Even if you can’t see it yet, God is already working on your behalf, preparing a future filled with hope and purpose. Don’t let the chains of old labels hold you back any longer. Embrace the new name God has for you, step into the purpose He’s designed for you, and look forward to the future He’s preparing.
In Christ, we are new creations. The old has gone, and a new life has begun. It’s time to break free from the labels of the past and become all that God has created us to be. Are you ready to take that step of faith today?