The Third
Commandment – Part 2
The name of
God has everything to do with all that God is. When His name is pulled down
into the mass of human society, everything pertaining to His unique and
sovereign ability is devalued. Think about this for a minute. The Bible tells
us in John’s Gospel that Jesus came in the Father’s name (John 5:43), that
Jesus performs miracles in the Father’s name (John 10:25), that we can ask
anything in His name (John 14:13), and that we are kept safe in His name (John
17:11). In Acts 4:12, we are reminded that there is no other name under Heaven
whereby anyone can be saved, and in Philippians 2:10, the Apostle Paul reminds
us that it is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow and every tongue
will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
I have always believed this is the reason why everyone, from Hollywood to Wall
Street, never uses as blasphemy the name of another person, president or prime
minister, bishop, evangelist or religious leader from any religion near or
far—only the Lord Jesus Christ. In a strange, reversed sort of way, every time
I hear the name of Jesus used as a curse word, I think
God is affirming the truth of His Word. He is using the very ones who defame
and demean Him to demonstrate that He is the One who is “the way, the truth,
and the life” (John 14:6, NKJV).
This is what blasphemy does: First, it discredits God’s name. Remember, it was
the Lord Jesus who taught us to say, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9, NKJV). Second, it denounces God’s
character. In the Old Testament, God’s name was written only with consonants so
that no one could pronounce it. If God’s name is unpronounceable, and His
person is untouchable because of His holiness, how more so is His character
unutterable? Third, the misuse of His name crucifies Jesus all over again.
Blasphemers are simply allying themselves at the base of the cross alongside
all who screamed at Him and demeaned Him. Fourth, it aligns blasphemers with
Satan himself. The devil is the one who opposes God in every way and demands to
spread the ultimate lie that Jesus is just another ordinary man who can be
reviled and spat upon. Fifth, and most serious, blasphemy places a serious
question mark on a person’s salvation. All of the commandments have to do with
the heart. If our words are a reflection of what is in the heart, then surely a
person who knows and loves our Savior cannot utter His name in such a manner.
And, what if you do blaspheme? Here it is again—my hope, your hope, every
person’s hope—Jesus Christ loves you. Here are three things you can do. First,
look in. Examine your own heart before the Lord Jesus. Next, look out. When you
do look out you will see that God is exactly who He says He is—in word, name
and deed. And finally, look up. Look into His face and live. He loves you. He
died for you. He wants to forgive you. There is hope.
David Jones with excerpts by D.W.