By Hosanna Wong
What names are you answering to? It’s easy to forget who we are in the midst of life’s struggles. But, as believers, we can trust what the Bible tells us about our identity in Christ, and how we should live in light of those truths. Today’s post from bestselling author Hosanna Wong will explore some of those key identity Scriptures, offering insight and encouragement by unpacking nine names God calls us.
God knew that throughout our lives we’d be told lies about who we are and who we are not. Our Creator’s words show us who we were created to be, and who we have always been. Remember, no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And the names God calls you may be very different from the other names you’ve been told.
I want to unpack nine names from the Word of God, names He has given to those who follow Him. Write them down, study them, highlight and circle everything that stands out to you. To be clear, God gives you a lot of names in the Bible. I encourage you to read it fully and uncover every name God has given you and see yourself through His lens. These nine are a great place to begin.
1. FRIEND OF GOD.
For the one who feels abandoned or alone . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “I don’t call you servants any longer. . . . I call you friends.” John 15:15 (VOICE) You are not abandoned or alone.
FRIEND OF GOD. That’s your name.
2. CHOSEN.
For the one who feels like an afterthought, a mistake, or second place . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “To you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 4 (NLT) There is no requirement to be chosen by God other than belonging to God. Eugene Peterson puts that same verse this way: “It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (MSG) This means that not only is your position important, but God has intentionally placed you precisely where you are. You are no afterthought.
CHOSEN. That’s your name.
3. GOD’S MASTERPIECE.
For the one who feels unworthy, or less-than . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “We are his workmanship,” (Ephesians 2:10, KJV) “We are God’s masterpiece,” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) and “We are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE) You are not unworthy.
GOD’S MASTERPIECE. That’s your name.
4. GOD’S TEMPLE.
For the one who feels ashamed of your body because of what you’ve done with it, or what has been done to it . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (VOICE) You are not defined by what you did or what was done to you.
GOD’S TEMPLE. That’s your name.
5. GOD’S MESSENGER.
For the one who feels ill-equipped to show the love of God in your everyday life, who thinks your story is not good enough to help people, or your life could never make an impact . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT) The apostle Paul said, “Your life story confirms the life story of the Anointed One.” 1 Corinthians 1:6 (VOICE) You are not unqualified to share the hope of Jesus.
GOD’S MESSENGER. That’s your name.
6. CHILD OF GOD.
For the one who feels like you grew up too fast, your childhood was stolen, and you never got the chance to fully experience what being a child is like . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “Whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.” (John 1:12, MSG) We “are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26, NLT) You are not defined by what was taken from you.
CHILD OF GOD. That’s your name.
7. GREATLY LOVED.
For the one who feels unlovable, too broken, and like there are things in your past that could never be redeemed . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “While we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us,” (Romans 5:8, VOICE) and “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV) You are not unlovable.
GREATLY LOVED. That’s your name.
8. FREE, INDEED.
For the one who feels like you’ll never be set free from the shame of who you were, what you’ve done, or how you used to live . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NLT) “And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:10-11, NLT) You are not chained to your past.
FREE, INDEED. That’s your name.
9. BRAND NEW.
When you feel like you are stuck with your old names, your old mentalities, and the opinions of people who only knew you by your past . . . you are more than you’ve been told. The truth: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT) You are not stuck in your past.
BRAND NEW. That’s your name.
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Adapted from You Are More Than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong. Click here to learn more about this book.
In You Are More Than You’ve Been Told, spoken word artist and bestselling author Hosanna Wong unveils a fresh approach to spiritual disciplines as the practical ways we can stay connected to God and to our true selves. She will help you:
- identify the lies that have held you back and uncover important truths about who you are and have always been,
- discover tangible tools to help you heal from deep wounds and see God in the most tender places of your story, and
- unlock four key rhythms that will help you be free of burdens you were never meant to carry.
It turns out—You will know who you really are when you spend real time with the One who knows you the best. Let this practical roadmap show you how.
Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Widely known for her spoken word piece, “I Have A New Name,” Hosanna shares in churches, conferences, prisons, and other events around the world, reaching across various denominations, backgrounds and cultures. Hosanna is the best-selling author of How (Not) to Save the World. Her new book, You Are More Than You’ve Been Told releases August 2023.