What's In A Name?

In 1958, a New York City father named Robert Lane decided to call his baby son “Winner.” The Lanes, who lived in a housing project in Harlem, already had several children, each with a fairly typical name. But, Robert Lane apparently had a special feeling about this boy. Winner Lane: How could he fail with a name like that?

Three years later, the Lanes had another baby boy, their seventh and last child. 
For reasons that no one can quite pin down today, Robert decided to name this boy “Loser.” Robert wasn't unhappy about the new baby; he just seemed to get a kick out of the name. First a Winner, now a Loser. But if Winner Lane could hardly be expected to fail, could Loser Lane possibly succeed?

Loser Lane did in fact succeed. He went to prep school on a scholarship, graduated from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, and joined the New York Police Department, where he made detective and, eventually, sergeant. Although he never hid his name, many people were uncomfortable using it. To his police colleagues today, he is known as “Lou.”

As for his brother, the most noteworthy achievement of Winner Lane, now in his late 40s, is the sheer length of his criminal record: more than 30 arrests for burglary, domestic violence, trespassing, resisting arrest, and other mayhem. *

Names can reveal one’s character and even shape it.  Names can provide a goal for which a person may strive to achieve.  Or, one can fail to live up to a name that he has been given.

What’s in a name?  There is conviction in a name that we all wear due to our wrong choices: sinner.  “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

What’s in a name?  There is SALVATION in the Name of JESUS. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).  When we respond in trusting obedience believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins 
in repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing His name before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name, Jesus gives us a new name: CHRISTIAN.

Wearing the name “Christian” indicates that we have been forgiven of our sins and it also gives us a goal for which to strive: Christ-likeness.  God has promised that as a Christian walks in the light of His Word, that He will continue to cleanse that one of his sins (1 John 1:7).

What’s YOUR name?  Labels can hurt; titles can reward.  But the name above 
every name is JESUS and He wants to be your Savior so that He can give you a 
NEW name, a name filled with glory and honor as well as responsibility, the name “Christian.”

Won’t YOU become a Christian today?

– Connor McLean** and David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* From Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

** Connor McLean is a member of the Creekwood Church of Christ and a graduating senior – and Valedictorian – of Mobile Christian School.

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