In 1754, Benjamin Franklin had created his cartoon of a snake in pieces with the words “Join Or Die,” stressing the need for the colonies to be united. Prior to September 9, 1776, we were known as the UCA – the United Colonies of America.
By June of 1776, Thomas Jefferson had written his draft of the Declaration of Independence which started with the words “A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress assembled.” The final version opens with these familiar words: “July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” The last paragraph says, “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”
United Colonies and United States were used interchangeably until September 9, 1776. The Continental Congress passed a resolution that said, “That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.” Our name was official.
A couple of months ago, a survey was conducted, asking people to rebrand our nation. Whether serious or in jest, here are some of the suggested new names:
- The Loose Collection of 50 Separate Countries
- America Inc.
- Americorp
- The Divided States of America
- Amazon presents Google’s The United States of America brought to you by Starbucks
- Northern Mexico
- Southern Canada
- Vespucia, in honor of Amerigo Vespucci, the original namesake of our nation
- Americania
- The United States of High Fructose Corn Syrup, named by those who felt that American food is all about the sugary content.1
I’m not worried that any of these names will catch on, though some of them definitely reflect the bent of our nation.
As Christians, we are a “nation” of people who have been given several names through the years. Collectively, we are know as the church or the bride of Christ. Acts 20:28 says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” And, John the Baptist said in John 3:29, “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom…”
Individually, we are given many names. The most common is Christian. Acts 11:26 tells us “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” We are saints (Philippians 1:1), beloved (Romans 1:7; 1 John 3:2), brethren (1 Thessalonians 1:4), children (Matthew 5:9; Romans 9:26), heirs (Romans 8:17), kings and priest (Revelation 5:10), sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18), sheep (John 10:27), temples (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19), and a whole lot more. One website lists 642 different names that we’ve been given, and another 61 characteristics are attributed to us.2
What’s your favorite name that the Father calls you? Think about this today and let these names overwhelm you. Perhaps you could boil it down simplistically and say that your favorite name is found in the Song of Solomon 2:16. “My beloved is mine, and I am his…”
1https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/people-propose-name-changes-to-the-united-states-here-s-what-they-came-up-with/ss-AA1jcRl3?cvid=96d38e050f3a4d68a43e93f827e92408&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=14#image=1
2https://characterbuildingforfamilies.com/beloved/
