The Third Commandment

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: this does not simply mean that the Lord's name is not to be used as an expletive or in the middle of swearing/cussing/cursing, it also includes the conduct of a Christian. As a Christian we take the name of the LORD with us wherever we go and into whatever we engage in. If we claim the name of the LORD, we must embrace all that it is and means.  

God is holy and any use of His name other than reverent use is vain and sin. When an unsaved person sins that is sad enough, but how sad when a Christian offends the Lord and transgresses His law. Far too often the LORD's name is used irreverently and "excused" as being said in innocence, just as a "harmless expression," "not from the heart," or some other reason, when in reality, the Lord's name is only being used as an expression or exclamation of amazement or worse. The above verse also says, "For the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. In the exemplary prayer we are told that the Lord's name is to be hallowed or highly revered or respected. Thy name - That is, God himself, with all the attributes of his Divine nature - his power, wisdom, justice, mercy, etc. [Adam Clarke]

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. We call on the name of Lord for salvation and there is salvation in no other.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Emphasis added)

Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Emphasis added)

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. His name is our refuge. Meditating on the names of Jesus reminds us of His attributes: Counselor, Mighty God, King of kings, Light of the World, Redeemer, Bread of Life, Prince of Peace, Mediator, Good Shepherd, Savior, Immanuel, and the list goes on.

Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (Emphasis added)

The World's Bible

A friend recently asked me if I had gotten anything interesting from my devotions that week.  She and I share thoughts and insights from our Bible reading and I always enjoy hearing from her. The day after she asked me in the email, the Lord gave me a verse to meditate on. Colossians 3:23-24, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

For those of us who know the Lord personally and have had our sins forgiven through the cleansing blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we owe all we have and are to His glorious cause and the furtherance of the Gospel.  When I reflected on this verse and applied it to my own life I was ashamed of myself.  Most of us probably dress and act our best when at church or meeting with other believers, but how about at work or at home some evening with friends. When you're at work talking with co-workers would you be ashamed if another believer you respected was standing there listening to your conversation. Would you blush if they heard you laugh at poor humor? Or smile about a sinful action? I think all of us (myself included) would be ashamed if our pastor, siblings, parents, or someone we respected saw how we behave outside of Christian circles sometimes.  But what about Christ? What about the Heavenly Father? What about the Holy Spirit who indwells in our hearts? Would He be pleased with our conversation, thoughts, and actions among others. For some of us, we're the only Bible the world will ever read--will our lives be a mirror of the God we love and claim?

Your pastor, or parents, or friends may never know the things you say or do in the work world but you don't have to answer to them. You do have to answer to God however and He knows and sees all that we do and think. Are we living our lives to the honor and praise of our Lord Who will one day return? Am I?

God supplies us with all we need to accomplish His will, and no sacrifice on our part will ever go unnoticed or unrestored a hundredfold by the Omnipotent hand of our loving Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

 

The World's Bible

Christ has no hands but our hands
To do His work today;
He has no feet but our feet
To lead men in His way;
He has no tongues but our tongues
To tell men how He died;
He has no help but our help
To bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible
The careless world will read;
We are the sinner's Gospel,
We are the scoffer's creed;
We are the Lord's last message,
Given in deed and word;
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print is blurred?

What if our hands are busy
With work other than His?
What if our feet are walking
Where sin's allurement is?
What if our tongues are speaking
Of things His lips would spurn?
How can we hope to help Him
And hasten His return?

 

Annie Johnson Flint

A Quote of George Muller

 

“As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time unless he eats, so is with the inner man. What is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God-not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe. No, we must consider what we read, ponder over it, and apply it to our hearts.”
― George Muller

  

 

Matthew 4:4  "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."