It makes me wonder when I hear the name "Jesus" from the mouth of so many believers from different denominations. It seems that they forgot His position by calling Him plainly with His earthly name. If you read the Scriptures carefully, you will notice that the name "Jesus" is only mentioned in the gospels. After his resurrection and exaltation in heaven, His position became different. The writers of the epistles never considered Him in the same way from that day on. He was called The Lord Jesus, Christ Jesus, and/or Jesus Christ. His name is always marked with distinction because of his exaltation. So it makes me perplex when I hear so many believers from denominations use His earthly name without considering His present position. Is it because of lack of understanding of the Scriptures? Or, is it due to lack of respect for His person?
Calling the Lord Jesus with His earthly name alone, not giving due honor, is an indication of carnality and of not grasping the truth about His person. Maybe for many it does not matter. But for me it is something we should not take for granted.
When it comes to the throne of England, people do not have any problem to rightfully give the queen the respect due to her position, calling her Queen Elizabeth. It should be the same or even more for our Lord and Savior who deserves all the honor and respect we can give.
I will give this last example to highlight my point. Have you ever talked to a Muslim about your Saviour? I remember one encounter. The Muslim told me that he believes Jesus. I said to him, I believe the Lord Jesus. He stopped me and told me that he does not believe that He is Lord. He only believes that Jesus was a prophet. Do you see the difference the use of the proper title makes? Our conversation made this Muslim understood the title "Lord" declares the Lord Jesus in an exalted position, not a mere human or prophet. By saying "Jesus" alone, he declared his belief that he does not accept the Lord's position and His person as the Son of God. The "Jesus" of Muslims is a different one-- a simple human who lived on earth but not The Lord Jesus who reigns in heaven.
The earthly view of many believers from many denominations about the name of my Lord is befuddling (puzzling). He was on earth once, but now He is glorified! He is dead to this world, and we, who are in Christ, are one with Him. As much as we are in Him dead to this world, we are in Christ alive and are new creation!
"At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5: 16-17)