Nougat 3

You see siblings,

I got it wrong according to traditional counting. I see the heaven images as a continuation of the first commandment, but it’s traditionally observed as the second. My apologies (Of course, that could also be the result of me seeing 11, not 10 instructions. Oh dear). Our new count, therefore, has us exploring the Third Commandment. It is a continuation of instructions about our God relationship and how we call God’s name. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat in terms of your own life …

Exodus 20:7 NLT

[7] “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

Honour God’s Name

Years ago, a confessed atheist was in a bind and shouted, ‘Jesus Christ, man!’, at someone. I asked the person about it, and they indicated it was just another word; in fact, it was an alternative to using swear words. I held my peace but wondered to myself countless times since – if an atheist uses the Lord’s name as a swear word, isn’t that calling the Lord’s name in vain? Or should I be praying that it’s a subconscious affirmation of Y’shua’s sovereignty?

Tough one.

Misusing God’s name isn’t always that complicated. Far often, the persons who misuse God’s name aren’t proclaimed atheists. They look like you and me, believers and others who have invoked God’s presence without considering the implications of our actions.

Self-Check

What does misusing the Lord’s name mean to you? Have you ever done so?

Application

God’s various names are weighted … each conveys a different aspect of God’s nature. They ought not be referenced out of context. Moreover, Y’shua teaches us that, like YHWH’s persona, God’s name is to be set apart (see the Lord’s Prayer opening words after the salutation). To esteem God’s name and maintain its sacredness, Jews (then and now) often opt for G_d and completely avoid using the name YHWH. This is certainly an excellent way to avoid misusing or desecrating the Lord’s name.

At her death, Queen Elizabeth’s son was no longer referred to as Prince Charles; he is now King Charles III. That’s his title (the simple one) regardless of how anyone feels about him. It used to be considered high treason, and in some spaces was punishable by death. How much more so, should it apply to us in regard to our eternal spiritual sovereign?

Equally important is the lifestyle we live while telling the world that we are believers. So we profess God as our sovereign, but continue to act as though our allegiance lies elsewhere. Hmm, that’s not right. Does dishonouring God’s name also include our calling on God while failing to believe that God is capable of doing and being all God is?

It is very important that we avoid calling God’s name while swearing (exclaiming) or using God’s name as a punctuation mark. That would include the common social media expression, ‘OMG’ (some, of course, argue that it’s goodness and not God being referenced. I’m not sure which would be worse when we truly think about it). I propose, the way we reference God (and the Trinity, on the whole) reveals our understanding of God’s identity and sovereignty in our lives.

Assignment

Might we seek to honour God’s name in all we do, whatever the situation and wherever we are.

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May all we seek be found in Christ