Using someone else’s name for our own gain and without permission is exploitation.

Alexander the Great, one of the most renowned military generals who ever lived, conquered almost the entire known world with his vast army. One night during a campaign he was restless and left his tent to walk around the campground. While he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty – a serious offense. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was in most cases death; the commanding officer sometimes pours kerosene on the sleeping soldier and lit his clothing.

The soldier began to awaken as Alexander approached him. Noticing who was standing before him, the young man feared for his life.

“Are you aware of the penalty for falling asleep on guard duty?” Alexander asked.

“Yes, sir,” the young soldier responded with quivering voice.

“Soldier, what’s your name?” demanded Alexander.

“Alexander, sir.”

“What is your name?” Alexander asked again.

“My name is Alexander, sir,” the soldier repeated.

A third time and more loudly Alexander asked, “What is your name?”

A third time the soldier meekly replied, “My name is Alexander, sir.”

Alexander the Great then looked the young man straight in the eye. “Soldier,” he said with intensity, “either change your name or change your conduct.”

A friend of mine was greatly disturbed when he found that a program he had joined for personal interest had been exploiting his name to gain other participants for their less-than-above-board program. “Name dropping” is an extremely popular practice today. Dropping a name that has clout and credibility may help one gain without permission from that party, or including someone’s name in schemes that might paint him or her in a negative light, is exploitation.

When we call ourselves “Christian,” it means we are followers of Christ. If our purposes do not foster His ultimate plan, we are not Christians. It is interesting that today we have people, programs, organizations, churches, schools, and institutions that are known as Christians, and yet they no longer perform within the standards of the name by which they identify themselves. Some started with good intentions – had real plans to make an impact on behalf of Christ and in His name. However, they met social demands, deadlines, and financial responsibilities, and before long this “Christian” organization had become just another secular entity, another organization, another church called “Christian.” Without notice, Christ was no longer the central theme of their active objective.

During this time of year many questions come to light. Have we replaced the Christ of the Nativity scene with a Santa “clause”? Is His birth just another occasion to fulfill our selfish desires? Are we still interested in what the Christ child does for those who accept Him as the ultimate gift? Or is this just another opportunity to get over? Are we using His birth and His name to obtain what we want for ourselves without thought for what He expects from us? Does this season exploit Christ? Do we need to change our name or change our conduct?

During this holiday season, may we really get to know the Christ of Christmas. May He be reflected in the manner that we allow His purposes to be the ultimate emphasis of our actions.