Subscription Lists

The first three commandments of the Decalogue speak directly to our relationship with God. The first being, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 For, “The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” Or “alone.” Deuteronomy 6:4 The second commandment cautioning, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything… You shall not… worship them, for I, the Lord your God am a jealous God,…” Exodus 20:4,5 The third warning, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7

In these, we have revealed to us a bit of God’s personality, exposing a character trait most of us find unattractive but which God has every right to – jealousy. (See Exodus 34:14 & Deuteronomy 4:24) Being who he is, the creator and sustainer of the universe, and having provided specifically for our salvation at great personal cost; he indeed has every right to be jealous of anyone or anything that takes his place in our minds or hearts. Thus the importance of how we handle his name, which includes what we claim for him, what we do in his name and what we profess as having been revealed to us by him. The Hebrew phrase “in the name of” at times meaning – on behalf of or for the sake of – at times being similar to a police officer’s declaration of, ‘Stop in the name of the law!’ The one representing an authority greater than himself.1 (See Acts 3:6 & 16; 16:18)

It’s not about the name itself but about the identity of the person – or being – who’s being invoked. (Although the Jews never fully wrote out God’s name nor spoke it aloud out of respect, reverence and fear of him.) Today however, we may say his name out loud in a number of forms, even using it to identify someone other than God. How many Joshua’s do you know? Joshua being the Anglicized version of Yeshua, itself a contraction of Yehoshua – or Jehovah – which literally means ‘God’s salvation’ or ‘God saves.’ How many South American ball players have you seen with the name Jesus – pronounced Hay-soos? Lending even more credence to the idea that the power to be found in Jesus’ name is not inherent in the word itself but in the invoking of the one who possesses it. As in, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved? Acts 4:12 Jesus making the audaciously bold – and to the Jews blasphemous – claim that, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6,7 (See also Acts 2:38)

Jesus fully identified God’s attributes and expectations in his life and ministry; a principle one being that, as his disciples, we would mirror Him and illuminate the way to His saving grace. ( Matthew 5:14) Living in such a way as to “sanctify” God’s name – confirming the holiness of his word and will by our actions – introducing the lost to salvation in him and thus glorifying His name and person. ( 1 Peter 1:15,16)

Which speaks to a heated debate among some Christians as to the proper way of bringing God glory, some emphasizing sharing the gospel as being pre-eminent in our witness ( Matthew 24:14) while others stress social action. ( James 2:15,16) What I would think is self-evident though is that sharing the gospel without caring for people’s needs comes across as shallow, while doing charitable acts with no mention of Christ fails to witness to the ultimate relief to be found in Him. When Jesus sent his disciples out to minister, he instructed them to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom, as he had himself. ( Matthew 10:7,8) Not one or the other – but both. 2 (See also Colossians 3:17) The overall purpose being that “…the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the sea.” Is. 11:9 That awareness of the Lord coming initially through the Law to the Israeli’s, who were then expected to be a “light” in the darkness for their neighbors ( Psalm 119:105), regardless of race and nationality. (Is. 49:6)

Conversely, when the Israelites “profaned” God’s name and thus his reputation among their neighbors, they were punished; sometimes severely. (See Exodus 36:16-20 – especially 22,23) The Jews “specialness” being derived from their worship of and obedience to Jehovah and his word/will. “…if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole world is mine, you will be for me a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:4-6 An office we Christians now assume as extensions of God’s “royal priesthood”; chosen by him and belonging to him – a “holy nation” – saved by grace but expected to diligently share that blessing by being “the light of the world.” ( Matthew 4:15,16 & 5:14-16) “…declar(ing) the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 If and when we don’t, we fail to honor God; merely mouthing the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,…” And miss the point of, “…your Kingdom come, your will be done…” as an expression of our desire for God’s “reputation” to continue to grow throughout the entire world through acknowledgement of His person and acceptance of His will. ( Matthew 6:9,10)

Which is one of a number of reasons why so much importance is given to not “misusing” (NIV) or taking the name of the Lord in vain (KJ); often understood as a prohibition against swearing – which I certainly think it is; but I also believe it to be a warning against using it carelessly – without respect, purpose or reverence – or even to gain advantage by using his name as a talisman or good luck charm when we’re in need while neglecting to call on him in thanksgiving when things are going well.

That reverence and respect being equally deserved by His Son, our Savior; “Who, being in very nature God… (took) the very nature of a servant… (and) humbled himself and became obedient… (to God’s omniscient plan which included) death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (scripture listing several titles ascribed to him, among them Immanuel – which means God with us, as well as Faithful, True – Revelation 19:11 & 13 – and the Word of God, in John 1:1-4 & 14), that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, …and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11Jesus himself then promising, “…where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20 If not in physical form then through his Spirit, whom we are equally cautioned against taking lightly or speaking ill of in Mark 3:29

Persecution may very well come our way, “…on account of (His) name.” Luke 21:12 But the benefits of his provision ( John 14:13) and the salvation to be attained through Him ( Romans 10:13 & 2 Chronicles 7:14) far outweigh any inconvenience our association with him may bring. Which should certainly motivate us to action, whether that be in introducing “children” to his embrace ( Matthew 18:5) or meeting the needs of the hungry and thirsty, welcoming strangers into our midst, clothing the naked, tending the sick and visiting those in prison. ( Matthew 25:34-36) “…doing it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,…” Colossians 3:17

So let us exclaim with the Psalmist, “I will extol the Lord at all times, his praise will always be on my lips, my soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together.”! Psalm 3:1-3

1From Lois Tverberg’s, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus , Zondervan Publishing

2ibid

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Breaking Records