Born Again: Take Upon the Name of Christ

How do you take Christ’s name upon you?

Taking upon us the name of Christ happens as we show our willingness to take his name upon us in the making and keeping of sacred covenants. This begins with baptism when we demonstrate our willingness to walk in a newness of life and take upon us His name. We enter his church and he becomes our God and we become his people, a holy people. When we do this we must be very careful not to take His name in vain. As Christians we must not take this act in vain but we must strive with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength to love God and serve him, and “henceforth we should not serve sin.”

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” — Romans 6:4-6

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” — John 3:5 

Without baptism we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Why?

Because Christ said it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. This is not only because it is a commandment, but because of the covenant power we have access to when we enter into his way and are sealed by his Holy Spirit of promise. We need baptism, and to walk in the newness of life, to make the name of Christ a transformative power in our lives; for we are called into holiness. Without this first important step our belief would be in vain.

This is a first step, a gate we enter, in witnesses of the willingness of our hearts. As we continue in the straight and narrow path and make higher commitments through renewal of our covenants on a regular basis and receiving greater light and knowledge through temple ordinances and covenants, we go from being willing to wearing His name. Our final goal is to have His name forever written in our hearts and his countenance sealed upon us by the Holy Spirit of promise unto perfection. In this we, through Christ, shall fulfill all righteousness.

FOR THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS

As disciples of Christ we look to him as our example, he shows us in deed as well as word what we are supposed to do to walk in his way.

“Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” — Matthew 3:13-15

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” — Matthew 7:13-14

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” — Mosiah 27:25-26