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Exodus 20:7; Matthew 6:9; Romans 2:24 – Holy Name
The Ten Commandments warn, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Ex.20:7). Jesus reasoned in the model prayer, “Holy is your name” (Mt.6:9). Paul writes, “The name of God is blasphemed…because of you” (Rom.2:24). This goes far beyond but includes how we speak:
1) Do we promise something in God’s name and renege?
2) Do we make “God” an empty by-word that loses all honor as in “OMG?”
3) Do we make people think God is a “hypocrite,” “hardhearted,” and “self-righteous” by the way we speak to the less fortunate?
But far beyond our words:
1) Do our actions cause others to renege on their promises to God because they see our hypocrisy? Or do they encourage them to follow through and crucify self?
2) Do we act as if God’s place in our life is filled with emptiness because we won’t let Him dwell with us; and so God becomes unholy in the lives of others? Or do they see us filled with holy joy during the hardest of times and want to know why (and its because of the joy of Jesus journeying towards Jerusalem)?
3) Do our actions blaspheme the holiness of God and therefore cause unbelievers to blaspheme God because they think He is like us? Or do we cause people to pause and wonder why we don’t react to their hate with hate?
Since we are to be holy because God is holy (1 Pet.1:15-16):
1) Holy is the name “Christian,” and it should not be worn in vain because that dishonors the name of Christ.
2) Holy is the name “Christian,” and it should separate us from how the world talks, thinks, and acts – but not separate us from loving and helping them.
3) Holy is the name “Christian,” and we dare not permit others to blaspheme Jesus because we are not acting holy.
So do not take the name Christian in vain. Keep the name christian holy. And do not allow good-hearted Christians to be blasphemed and rejected because of you.
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