A New Name

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations - Genesis 17:4-5
 
 
In a renewal of his covenant to God, Abram’s name (meaning “exalted father”) was changed to Abraham (meaning “father of many”). Sarai’s name (meaning “my princess” or princess to her immediate family) was also changed to Sarah (meaning “princess”), which alluded to the fact that their territory would expand outside of their region—they would birth nations through their offspring. Abraham and Sarah, ages 100 and 90 respectively, conceived Isaac, despite their skepticism because God said it would come to pass and it did.  
 
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our new self is constantly evolving to be more Christ-like.  
 
When you decide to grow in Christ, others may try to remind you of your old self and what you used to be and do. However, you must remind them that, that person is dead and gone. And a new name warrants a new mindset and new lifestyle.  
 
If God promises it, it will come to pass. We must be faithful to the assignment, regardless of how difficult it may be or how much time has passed. Understand that your spiritual renewal is a journey. But it will give birth to something greater than you, as it did for Abraham and Sarah.