Our Birthright in Christ

The owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks offered a Chicago sports-talk host $100,000 to legally change his name to “Dallas Maverick.” In addition, he said he would donate $100,000 to the man’s favorite charity. After some soul-searching, the radio host held firm and told the owner no. He explained, “I’d be saying I’d do anything for money, and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.” 

Just as the radio host’s name is his birthright, early believers in Jesus took on the name “Christian” as their spiritual birthright. Barnabas and Saul ministered a year in Antioch, and through the preaching of the good news, the church grew. The early believers in Antioch lived so much like Christ that people who didn’t believe in Jesus—called them “Christians” (Acts 11:26). So “Christians” were those who belonged to Christ. Bearing that name ultimately became a source of persecution. But Peter encouraged believers to “not be ashamed” of their birthright and of suffering for bearing that name (1 Peter 4:16).

For those who believe in Jesus, “Christian” is our birthright, and no amount of money, suffering, or abuse should cause us to compromise that name. We have a responsibility, as God provides what we need, to live every day to bring honor to the name of Christ.