September 3 – LD 36, Day 1: The Greatness of God’s Name
by Pastor Steven Key

Read: Ezekiel 36:16-28

 

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.”

 

Such is the greatness of the name of the one only true God that it must always be held in highest honour. The third commandment does not only forbid the profane abuse of God’s holy name. It condemns the vain use of God’s name. As we must understand, that makes the prohibition of the third commandment very broad!

 

Eze 36 confirms that especially in verses 20-23. God's sinful people were rebuked sharply for their sinful walk of life, which God condemned by saying, "they profaned my holy name." As those who bore the name of the children of God, the people of Jehovah, their sinful walk profaned His name. The Lord told His people that He would sanctify His great name by cleansing them, with the consequence being this: Eze 36:31 "Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations." That is how they had profaned God's name.

 

That means positively that our calling is to use the holy name of God with fear and reverence always. That is a calling that reaches into every aspect of our life and everything that we do and say.

 

Remember, this commandment comes to us as the redeemed of Jehovah, those who have been delivered from the bondage of sin and death, and who therefore desire to serve God in thankfulness for Who He is and what He has done for us in Christ Jesus. Do you know Him in that way? That must be our perspective as we consider the calling of the third commandment.