We Are Wanted

Bill Brinkworth

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Parts of India have noticed a decline over the last 10 years in the number of girls, as opposed to boys born. Statistics show that during that time thenumber of girls has dropped from 927 girls per 1,000 boys to 883 in some states. The decline of girls born is believed to be partly because of a higher death rates in girls, and because of a higher abortion rate among girl babies.

For many, having girls involves a large expense as many families go into debt in arranging weddings and paying for dowries. Because of this, many girls are unwanted. This has been reflected in their names. Some of the girls have been named “Nakusa” and other names, that in Hindu, mean “unwanted”.

Recently, as part of an effort to remove the stigma placed against females, one state tried to do something about it. They had a ceremony allowing over 280 girls to change their name from “Unwanted” to a name of their selection. The girls obviously picked a more positive name instead.

I cannot help but relate their new names and more positive futures to the “new name” we can have in Christ. Before our names, in God’s mind, were “cursed”, “enemy of God”, “hypocrite”, “sinner”, “liar”, “thief”, and a host of others. Now, however, once one is born-again, he is known to God by other names, including: “friend”, “beloved”, “forgiven”, and hopefully one day, “good and faithful” (Mat. 25:21).

The first verse and chorus of C. Austin Miles’ hymn “A New Name in Glory” also reflects the new name we can have in Christ:

I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord
This was freely given and I found
That He always kept His word.

Chorus:
There's a new name written down in glory
And it's mine, oh yes, it's mine
And the white-robed angels sing the story
"A sinner has come home!"
There's a new name written down in glory
And it's mine, oh yes, it's mine
With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven
Never more to roam.

This article was featured in The Bible view #326.

11/1/2011 dftb-7/16