God. The Great I Am. Adonai. Lord. Father. Jehovah. El Roi. El Shaddai. King of Kings
All names of our Creator. We worship, praise, and hold Him in awe and reverence.
Or do we?
We have praise and worship. We sing of our awe. But when was the last time you heard about revering His Name? I'm not posing a rhetorical question. I'm asking because something is very wrong. This week I started to read a book with an excellent storyline. The moral issues were very definitely from a Christian perspective and I cared about the characters. But I didn't finish it. Won't keep it. Won't pass it to a friend. Won't recommend it. Why? Repeatedly, it used God's name in vain.
"My God!" came straight out of Jesus' mouth as He hung on the cross. In fact, He said it twice in a row. It was a soul-deep cry.
"My God!" came straight out of Jesus' mouth as He hung on the cross. In fact, He said it twice in a row. It was a soul-deep cry.
Flip though the Psalms. "Oh, God," and "God," "Lord," "Oh Lord," "My Lord," are there--but the Psalmist is actually calling upon the Lord God Almighty.
Look at those again. How often do we hear the exact, same words used when God is NOT part of the equation? It's become "acceptable" when someone is surprised or disgusted or angry to blurt out or shout His holy name. People speak or write as if God's name has no value--and it's a habit, not a prayer. Often the way speaker is acting, he wouldn't want God to be present. It's sad. It's wrong. And yes, God is there.
Look at those again. How often do we hear the exact, same words used when God is NOT part of the equation? It's become "acceptable" when someone is surprised or disgusted or angry to blurt out or shout His holy name. People speak or write as if God's name has no value--and it's a habit, not a prayer. Often the way speaker is acting, he wouldn't want God to be present. It's sad. It's wrong. And yes, God is there.
And to this, I give a heartfelt, heartbroken, reverent, Lord, have mercy!
Recently a taco place had a big banner out front, OM*! 3 tacos for $2!
My mom went inside and objected.
The manager: "Substitute gosh for the G if it makes you feel better. No one else has complained."
Mom: “Why didn't you write OMB for Oh my Buddah! or OMA for Oh, my Allah!”
Manager: “THAT would offend people.”
NEWS FLASH: God's name is sacred. It isn't just a saying. Nor is His name to be abbreviated to an initial because we're too lazy to pay Him our respect. As Christians we *should* be offended. If we aren't, we're jaded and need to rededicate our hearts, refresh our minds, and purify our mouths and keyboards.
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL. POWERFUL. SACROSANCT.
Matthew 5 and James 5 both record Jesus' preaching on the matter. He showed reverence for His Father. Speaking to God, about God, or in giving praise and thanksgiving, Christ spoke His Father's name. Anger, grief, excitement--no matter what the circumstance, Christ didn't toss God's holy name in as an exclamation or to emphasize his emotions...yet that's what happens every day, all around us. Sadly, embarrassingly, believers do this. It's no wonder the rest of the world thinks nothing of it.
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.
-------AND-----
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Our beloved Jesus took a whip and drove moneychangers from the temple for desecrating God's house. Do you think Christ would stand silent when God's NAME is desecrated?
Recently a taco place had a big banner out front, OM*! 3 tacos for $2!
My mom went inside and objected.
The manager: "Substitute gosh for the G if it makes you feel better. No one else has complained."
Mom: “Why didn't you write OMB for Oh my Buddah! or OMA for Oh, my Allah!”
Manager: “THAT would offend people.”
NEWS FLASH: God's name is sacred. It isn't just a saying. Nor is His name to be abbreviated to an initial because we're too lazy to pay Him our respect. As Christians we *should* be offended. If we aren't, we're jaded and need to rededicate our hearts, refresh our minds, and purify our mouths and keyboards.
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL. POWERFUL. SACROSANCT.
Matthew 5 and James 5 both record Jesus' preaching on the matter. He showed reverence for His Father. Speaking to God, about God, or in giving praise and thanksgiving, Christ spoke His Father's name. Anger, grief, excitement--no matter what the circumstance, Christ didn't toss God's holy name in as an exclamation or to emphasize his emotions...yet that's what happens every day, all around us. Sadly, embarrassingly, believers do this. It's no wonder the rest of the world thinks nothing of it.
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.-------AND-----
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Our beloved Jesus took a whip and drove moneychangers from the temple for desecrating God's house. Do you think Christ would stand silent when God's NAME is desecrated?
I am seriously, deeply praying, God help us.
Cathy
AMEN, Cathy - - and a big THANK YOU for this EXCELLENT post!!! I completely agree with everything you wrote, and am so glad you touched on this subject. I must say it's something that has been troubling me for a very long time. Even some of my Christian friends on FaceBook will begin a status (or whatever it's called) with OM* (they have the G in there, of course) and this always concerns me and makes me sad. ~ Too bad your post isn't featured in newspapers across the country - - everyone needs to read this!! Thank you again. Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeletePatty Jo,
ReplyDeleteWHAT IF.... we made a habit of saying "Bless You" each time it happened? We're blessing the name of God and blessing a person who needs help in making a change. I think our brothers and sisters would be shocked at how often they mindlessly blaspheme. Once aware of it, the love they have for God will promt a change.
Thank you for hitting the nail on the head....God is sacred as is His name....Come on world...wake up and see Him for Who He is. Blessings, Connie Sue
ReplyDeleteBravo, Cathy!! Bravo!!
ReplyDelete