Question. Part Three

Now another question. Question One and Two are here.

Since we are on the 10 commandments, what do you think about commandment #3, "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. What do you think it means to take the Lord's name in vain?

Two thoughts:

First, using the Lord name in a verbal way and not address Him. Let's put some understanding on this: When Old Testament scribes came upon the name of God while coping scripture they would go through a ritual cleansing before and after they wrote His name. Do you know how many times God's name is in the Old Testament? God is HOLY, set apart. There is nothing like Him. He is above all. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Scribes understood that holiness and reacted accordingly.

There was an understanding that when you came into the presence of the Almighty you would not live to tell about it. Jacob, when He wrestled with God, knew what the outcome should of been: "So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared" Genesis 32:30.

In today's age I think we don't understand God's size and holiness. We like to think we do, but our actions show otherwise. You will probably hear me say a lot of words, but one I will never use is God's name when I'm not speaking to or about him. I might not understanding the God of this universe in a humble manor, but I do understand enough to know I don't want to experience His wrath!

Second, once heard this explanation of the 3rd commandment: If our belief in God is not to be in vain, then it must be total belief, total allegiance. There is more difference between one and two then between one and one million. This is significant in our loyalties. We cannot give complete allegiance to two nations. We cannon give complete loyalty to two wives. If our allegiance to God is not to be in vain, if it is to be a valid allegiance, then it must be total and complete. This is the only kind of Christianity the Bible teaches. Lip service to Christ is but to take His name in vain.

What is dangerous in our age in not atheism, but a very mild form of Christianity. It is not outright rejections that is most dangerous, but the meaningless form of acceptance. This is to take His name in vain.

It's an interesting idea and good for thought. I would lean more towards litteral understanding in scripture. i.e. scripture reading: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God; really meaning use of His name.

Those are my thoughts to the question. Yours?