Bethany Bullet - February 26, 2013

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God as not to curse, swear, conjure, lie or deceive by His Name, but call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

God has a name!  That is a profound reality.  God is neither a cosmic energy source nor an impersonal mysterious force.  God is neither an enthusiast (that is feeling) nor a consciousness (that is thought) He is an Interpersonal Being who desires to be in relationship with us.  In this command we are told that as we treat His name, we treat Him.  

Remember when LeBron James jersey’s were being torched, torn, and trampled in the streets of Cleveland after LeBron left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat?  The fans of Cleveland were not upset with the gear, they were furious with the player (said gear represented).  Offend the uniform, offend the one whose name is upon it is the thought in such actions.  So to with God’s name, insult God’s name and you insult God Himself.  

It is for our breaking of this commandment, either intentionally or accidentally (the majority of us are guilty of both), that another name was posted on Calvary’s cross: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.  Because we’ve cursed with God’s name, His name, the given name of the Second Person of the Triune God became a curse. In the ancient world such a horrid death was the cross and thus the name of those crucified would usually no longer be spoken, “cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  For our guilt of cursing with God’s name, Jesus Himself was cursed and through Him our sin is forgiven. 

Now, the command which will condemn us when we transgress also commends us to lives of godliness; that seek in times of struggle, sickness, suffering, sorrow, or surprise (not the good kind) to call on His name, not in vain, but in praise, prayer, or thanksgiving. 

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer