Exodus 20:7 says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” The Hebrew word for “take” has many meanings, but its basic meaning is to “to lift, to bear up, to carry, and to raise”. “Name” in this verse refers to not just His names as in God but really God’s character, His person, His position. Taking the name of God in vain goes beyond swearing in His name. It happens when we drag His person, character and reputation into the mud of sin and not make any attempt to clean up the mess. Our everyday behavior, our words and actions, should be done in love and honor of the name of our Lord Jesus, in an attitude of reverence, humility and thankfulness. If we love God, we must handle His name with loving care.
In this 3rd commandment we see a warning, “For the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” When we don’t walk our talk, we give the rest of the world a reason to say, “So is that what following Jesus is about? Is that what a Christian is?” If we continue down this path of taking God’s name in vain, it only confirms that our hearts are not right with God and we have sealed our own judgment of eternal separation from God. No matter what we declare or proclaim about being Christians, if our words and actions are contrary or opposite to this truth then we simply deserve what we have chosen for ourselves. Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We have all broken the third commandment, and we are all deserving of God’s just judgment. Thank God once again for Jesus Christ who came to be our Savior. He died to take the punishment for our sin so that we would not have to. Once you have broken God’s commandments, there are only two choices. Either you choose to suffer for your sin, or you can place your trust in Jesus who died to take the punishment for your sin. God offers you forgiveness for your sins through Jesus Christ. Have you given your life to Him? If you claim to be God’s follower, do you love Him, do you trust Him, do you have faith in Him, do you obey Him, if so confess your sin, receive His forgiveness and walk with Him.
Matthew 6:9 says, “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.’” “Hallowed” means to be revered and treated as holy. God’s name is the holiest name there is. We should hold God’s name in awe, fear and respect. Everything we say concerning the Lord should reflect the absolute majesty of His name. At His name, angels bow down, demons tremble, and Satan flees. How we speak about God is how we worship God. Psalm 29:2, “Give the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
CCF Chronicle, 23 August 2015
