Name it and Claim it ;-) -

I indeed reject the doctrine that teaches that every new Christian gets a spiritual Visa® card to receive wealth and stuff by using the name of Jesus and then letting God pay off the balance each month. Still, I think I am a name-it and claim-it kind of Christian.

This name-it and claim-it started when God’s grace saved me. You see, God’s Word told me, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord [name it] and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead [claim it], you will be saved (Romans 10:9).” I did that. I appropriated it; God freely offered salvation to me!

I felt beat up

As I began my Christian walk, I kept feeling beat-up by my past, then I found, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) I went straight to Jesus and humbled myself before Him, and read His verse back to Him. He touched me, and I began understanding what Christ had done. I named it when the enemy attacked, claiming Christ’s marvelous promise.

Still, I sometimes worried that the wretched man that I am would be found out by God, and He might kick me to the curb; I deserve no less. But praise God, He showed me in Romans 8:38-39. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So, what the Apostle Paul showed me, I named and claimed.

Naming and claiming does not cause a spiritual transaction

No, the naming and claiming of Romans 8:38-39 didn’t cause a spiritual transaction. It’s not like I didn’t have this before I found it in God’s Word; it was mine already. But what it did do was dissolve the residual lies of the world in me and imparted rest and joy to my soul.

I began feeling more secure in my relationship with Jesus, my Lord. Not prideful but trusting in Him. Then I had some serious medical problems. For a brief time, I was unsure what my future would be; none of us know our earthly future. But once again, the Apostle Paul told me how to lay down my concern about my future.

Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (1 Timothy 1:12) For my spiritual health, I named and claimed that for my walk with Christ Jesus.

Naming and claiming endures in me

My name-it and claim-it approach endures to this day. When my walk with Jesus leads me into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations, I speak to my soul [name] and claim Psalms 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Danger may be real. Injury or death may happen to me, but I will fear no evil.

I name the peace which Jesus gives that transcends time and circumstance. Jesus said it’s mine, so I claim that. Whether I stay in the presidential suite of a grand hotel or sleep in my car, I have Christ’s peace. I remind myself that Christ’s peace has been given; I just have to rest in it.

What can this world pay me to surrender Christ’s peace? Nothing. I claim John 14:1, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me [Jesus]. ” and John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” And, of course, I name and claim 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.“