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We bear God's name; therefore our speech, attitudes, and actions lead others to make certain conclusions about the credibility of the God we serve. In Psalm 23:3, David says: "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." That phrase does not mean that God is acting to save his reputation. What it means is that God is acting in conformity with his own nature. That is, God leads in paths of righteousness because he is by nature a righteous God. His names are a reflection of his character.

The day I left for college, I was prepared for the son-going-out-into-the-world speech from my dad—you know, the one with the extensive list of do's and don'ts. Instead, he gave me a single piece of advice: "Son, I have only one thing to give you. It's my name. Don't take it anywhere I wouldn't take it. Don't associate it with anything I wouldn't." With that sage counsel he sent me out into the world.

Just as I carry and represent the name Hemphill, I also bear my heavenly Father's name. The question is: What am I going to do with it?

Ken Hemphill is president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. His latest book is The Names of God (Broadman & Holman, 2001).

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A ready-to-download Bible Study on this article is available at ChristianBibleStudies.com. These unique Bible studies use articles from current issues of Christianity Today to prompt thought-provoking discussions in adult Sunday school classes or small groups.

Ken Hemphill's The Names of God is available at Christianbook.com.

See an extensive biography of Hemphill on the site of Got Life?, which was co-created by Hemphill to connect the gospel to modern life.

A Web site by Lambert Dolphin lists the names of God with scripture citations.

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October 22 2001, Vol. 45, No. 13