Within the high-stakes world {of professional} soccer, each participant’s jersey tells a narrative. The identify on the entrance represents the staff—a collective identification, a shared mission, a reputation followers cheer for and are drawn to. The identify on the again is private, tied to particular person legacy and fame. As followers cheer a person participant, a query at all times lingers: does this athlete play for the identify on the entrance of his jersey—the staff—or the identify on his again, his personal fame? This query isn’t just for athletes. It’s a query for each believer: For whose identify’s sake will we stay?
The Psalms repeatedly name us to anchor our lives within the glory of God’s identify. Psalm 25:11 pleads, “In your identify’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it’s nice.” Psalm 79:9 cries out, “Assist us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your identify; ship us, and atone for our sins, on your identify’s sake!” In Psalm 109:21, the psalmist prays, “However you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf on your identify’s sake.” Psalm 143:11 echoes, “In your identify’s sake, O LORD, protect my life!” And Psalm 34:3 invitations us, “Enlarge the LORD with me, and allow us to exalt his identify collectively.” These verses level to a singular reality: our lives are supposed to be lived for the glory of God’s identify, not our personal.
Ezekiel 36 deepens this theme, revealing God’s coronary heart for His identify’s sake. In verses 22–23, God declares, “It isn’t on your sake, O home of Israel, that I’m about to behave, however for the sake of my holy identify, which you will have profaned among the many nations… I’ll vindicate the holiness of my nice identify.” God’s promise to revive His individuals—giving them a brand new coronary heart and a brand new spirit (Ezek. 36:26)—shouldn’t be in the end for his or her sake however for His glory. This reality reorients our perspective: even our transformation is about magnifying God’s identify, not ours.
The Battle: Whose Identify Do We Exalt?
In a world obsessive about private branding—social media followers, profession achievements, even the curated picture we challenge at church—it’s simple to stay for the identify on our again. We could not admit it, however our hearts typically lean towards self-promotion. We crave recognition, significance, and our personal sense of worth whereas subtly shifting our focus from God’s glory to our personal. As counselors, we regularly see this wrestle in lots of types. A husband prioritizes his profession over his household, chasing the applause of colleagues. A spouse harbors bitterness, unwilling to forgive as a result of it seems like a lack of management. A teen wrestles with identification, searching for affirmation in friends or social media quite than in Christ. Even in ministry, the temptation looms to construct our personal platform quite than God’s kingdom, to be proper greater than humble, and to be appreciated greater than really useful.
The psalmists knew this stress. Their prayers in Psalms 25, 79, 109, and 143 come up from misery—guilt, persecution, hazard, and despair. But, they anchor their pleas in God’s identify, not their very own benefit. Ezekiel 36 confronts Israel’s idolatry, reminding them that their restoration is for God’s identify, not their very own glory. As counselors, we assist individuals navigate this identical stress, pointing them to a life lived for God’s identify’s sake. As counselors, we should additionally test and double-check our personal hearts to verify we live for God’s sake and never our personal glory.
The Identify That Issues
What does it imply to stay “on your identify’s sake”? In Scripture, God’s identify represents His character, authority, and glory. To stay for His identify’s sake is to align our wishes, selections, and actions with His functions. It’s to echo Psalm 115:1, “To not us, O LORD, to not us, however to your identify give glory.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 reveals that God offers us a brand new coronary heart and spirit, graciously empowering us to stay for His glory, not our personal.
Contemplate Psalm 25:11. David doesn’t plead for forgiveness primarily based on his goodness however “on your identify’s sake.” Why? As a result of God’s identify—His covenant-faithful, merciful, holy character—is the premise of all hope. In Psalm 79:9, the psalmist appeals to God’s identify for deliverance, understanding His glory shines by way of His saving acts. Psalm 109:21 roots the cry for rescue in God’s steadfast love (or, His covenant faithfulness), and Psalm 143:11 rests on His righteousness. Ezekiel 36 underscores that even our renewal is for God’s identify, not ours.
These passages remind us that our salvation, sanctification, and existence are for the show of God’s glory. In biblical counseling, this reality is transformative. When a counselee is overwhelmed by guilt, Psalm 25:11 assures them that God forgives for His identify’s sake. When somebody faces injustice, Psalm 109:21 affords hope that God acts for His glory. When life feels chaotic, Psalm 143:11 and Ezekiel 36:22-23 remind us that God preserves and renews us to show His holiness.
Our position as counselors is to assist individuals see that their story is a part of God’s greater story, the place His identify is the headline.
Enjoying for the Identify on the Entrance
For followers of Jesus Christ, the “identify on the entrance” is God’s. Our lives are usually not about constructing our personal legacy however advancing His kingdom. We’re not searching for to popularize our personal picture or likeness, however to enlarge Christ and His picture. Ezekiel 36:23 makes it clear: God acts “not on your sake” however to vindicate His holy identify. This shift frees us from the exhausting pursuit of self-glory and reorients our priorities in marriage, parenting, work, struggling, and even ministry. Listed below are 4 sensible methods to stay for God’s identify’s sake, not your personal, whether or not you’re a counselor or a counselee:
- Look at Your Motives
Ezekiel 36:26 guarantees a brand new coronary heart, however our previous motives typically linger. Ask: Am I doing this for God’s glory or my very own? In biblical counseling, we search to assist uncover coronary heart motives that drive habits. A husband could keep away from battle to guard his picture quite than honor God (Eph. 5:25). A spouse could cling to resentment, valuing management over God’s name to forgive (Col. 3:13). Due to this fact, we assist counselees align their motives with Psalm 34:3’s name to “enlarge the LORD.” - Belief God’s Identify in Trials
The psalmists confronted actual ache, but trusted God’s identify for deliverance (Ps. 79:9; 143:11). Ezekiel 36:22-23 exhibits that God’s restoration of Israel was for His identify’s sake, even of their rebel. As we counsel, we search to information counselees to belief God’s character—His mercy, energy, and faithfulness—amid grief, anxiousness, or damaged relationships. On this, we encourage our counselees to hope, “In your identify’s sake, Lord, assist me…,” resting in His glory (2 Cor. 12:9). - Pursue Renewal for God’s Glory
Ezekiel 36:26-27 guarantees a brand new coronary heart and spirit, not for our fame however for God’s. As we stroll with those that endure and sin, emphasize that non secular development—overcoming sin, pursuing holiness—is about glorifying God, not incomes His approval, others’ approval, or your personal sense of delight. Assist counselees see their sanctification as an affidavit to God’s identify, not a platform for their very own. - Exalt God’s Identify in Group
Psalm 34:3 calls us to “exalt his identify collectively.” Biblical counseling isn’t just about particular person change; it’s about constructing a neighborhood that glorifies God collectively within the physique of Christ. Encourage counselees to interact in worship, fellowship, and repair in an area congregation. As we counsel, we would like our counselees to try to be a part of a church household the place each member performs for the identify on the entrance—God’s identify.
A Name to Counselors and Counselees
As biblical counselors, we level individuals to the identify that issues most. Our objective is to not assist individuals construct their very own model however to stay for God’s glory. When a counselee walks into your workplace—or while you face your personal struggles—bear in mind Ezekiel 36: “It isn’t on your sake… however for the sake of my holy identify.” This humbles us, reminding us we aren’t the hero. It empowers us, assuring us that God’s identify is our power. And it unites us, calling us to exalt His identify collectively. Your favourite participant could or could not play for the identify on his jersey’s entrance, however as followers of Christ, we have now the next calling. We play for the identify above all names, the One who pardons, delivers, and renews us for His glory. So, allow us to stay, counsel, and pray with this chorus: In your identify’s sake, O Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- Look at Your Coronary heart: Mirror on a latest choice or motion in your life or ministry. Have been you primarily motivated by God’s glory or your personal recognition? How can Psalm 34:3 information you to realign your motives?
- Belief in Trials: Consider a present or previous trial the place you felt overwhelmed. How can trusting in God’s identify, as seen in Psalm 79:9 or Ezekiel 36:22-23, shift your perspective on that wrestle?
- Pursue Renewal: Ezekiel 36:26-27 speaks of God giving a brand new coronary heart for His glory. What space of your life wants renewal to higher mirror God’s identify quite than your personal?
- Interact in Group: Psalm 34:3 calls us to exalt God’s identify collectively. How are you actively taking part in your native church to enlarge God’s identify alongside others? What steps can you are taking to deepen this dedication?
