Martin King Jr. Gets A Name Change

On January 15th, 1929 there was born a man by the name of Martin. Not Martin Luther King. Just Martin King, jr. that is. He was not born the infamous Martin Luther King Jr. as we know it.

But truthfully, I like the real story better.

5 years after the birth of his Martin King (Senior), he took a bit of a pilgrimage one might say. He traveled throughout Europe, explored the Mediterranean, and was able to experience the location of a radical reformation long before Martin Luther in Germany. He was near the work of the Apostle Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles and eventually to what is often deemed “the Holy land,” which at that time politically was titled Palestine, but ultimately, as history proved rightfully is titled “Israel” which means “He Retains God” or “God Is Upright.”

Nevertheless, Martin King saw it all. In this trip, he went to Germany, the homeland of reformer Martin Luther. A man, who by the word of God and similar methods to his son’s eventual reforming acts, was accredited. Martin King, so impressed with the impact of Martin Luther for Christ’s Heavenly kingdom decided to make an impactful decision himself.

He made an official name change for himself and for his son, to which he wanted his legacy to move forward.

You see. God is in the name changing business. Some more notable ones include:

Abram to Abraham.

Sarai to Sarah.

Jacob to Israel.

Saul to Paul.

But here this and make no mistake. Everyone who names the Lord as their God has a name change. You are no longer “children of the Devil” but rather “children of God” (1 John 3:10). Name change comes with identity change.

As Martin Luther King Jr. pointed out, we all have had an identity change. In the Kingdom of God, there is no longer black or white and or male or female, free man or slave. The word of God highlights that this wall has been broken long ago.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

And-

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11).

Where once Gentiles were titled by words “sinful,” “unclean,” and “uncircumcised”, now God calls all to be His “friends,” “children,” and “co-heirs” with Him (1 Samuel 17:26; Galatians 2:15 turns to Romans 8:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:18).

So yes, Martin Luther King had a dream. But only God can make it a true, authentic reality. Seek His truth, love others as Christ has loved you, and perhaps we to can see revolutionary name changes rising up to proclaim freedom from sin.

God bless!