Living with fictitious names

When we surrender our life to Christ, we're given a new name. Like Abram became Abraham and Jacob became Israel, we're handed a new identity and a new vision.

But we still live in a world far from God—among people who can't comprehend this new identity. So we use fictitious names. We present ourselves in ways people can understand. These fictitious names fall into two categories: 'also known as' (aka) names and 'doing business as' (dba) names.

'Also known as' names are meant to conceal one's real identity. Christians use aka names to hide their new identity in Christ, fearing rejection. Some use an aka name hoping no one will ever discover their true identity. Others use an aka name with the secret hope they can one day spring their real identity on people and 'win 'em to Jesus'.

'Doing business as' names are meant to present one’s true identity in engaging ways. Christians using dba names know that people won't fully understand their real identity until there's a relationship. Their hope is that understanding will come progressively over time.

Aka's are used to obscure. Dba's are used to relate. So we can all ask ourselves:

Am I able to connect with people far from God?

If so, is it by concealment? Or by making my true self more accessible?