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Unto His name. Why does the Scripture use the "name" and not the "Lord"? What is
a name? Is it not the sum of many qualities, and used by us as a convenient means of
expression? When we say the word house it is the sum of such items as bricks, mortar,
wood, glass, etc. Thought would for ever remain unexpressed if it were not for this
ability to "sum up" in one name. The names of God express all that He is to us. The
varied names of God express His many-sided relations with His creatures. What
attributes are expressed in the names Father, Saviour, Lord and God! Love shown to His
name is love that goes out to One Who possesses those wondrous qualities that have been
revealed to us in Christ.
We pray in the name of Christ. We are forgiven for His name's sake. His name is
called upon us. We are enjoined to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Love unto the name of the Lord is shown by ministry unto the saints. This does not
bring the love of God down, but lifts the ministry to the saints up to a higher level. We
minister to the saints and we love our brethren because we love the Lord.
"Every one that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him"
(I John 5: 1).
We cannot love the Father if we do not love the Son, and we cannot love the Father if
we do not love His sons also. Here then is the practical manifestation of the Apostle's
desire. "Let us go on to perfection". Faith is perfected in such works of love. These are
the things that accompany salvation; these are the things that:
". . . . .adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that
saves . . . . . teaches us . . . . . that we should live . . . . . looking . . . . . zealous of good
works" (Titus 2: 10-14 not AV JP).
It is one thing to minister to the saints, it is another to continue. This is the feature that
is prominent in the passage before us.
"In that ye have ministered unto the saints, and are ministering" (Heb. 6: 10).
Ministry to the saints can involve much more than mere gifts or a pleasant round of
visiting; it comes under the heading of enduring a great fight of afflictions:
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by
reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were
so used" (Heb. 10: 32, 33).
Here we see that this ministry unto the saints involves suffering and calls for
endurance. The passage continues to show that such ministry leads to confidence which
hath great recompense of reward:
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise" (Heb. 10: 36).