Growing up, I was taught to call people by their proper name. Using Mr., Mrs., or Miss was an everyday occurrence. It was a sign of respect and honor for those who were older than me. To call anyone older than me by their first name was considered rude and disrespectful.
I know times have changed, and our culture doesn’t view it as disrespectful to call your neighbor or your boss by their first name. But do you know what culture hasn’t changed? The way we are supposed to use God’s name.
Last week we started looking at the first two of God’s Big Ten, the Ten Commandments.
Today we’re going to look at Commandments three and four and why the Big Ten still matter.
3. Don’t misuse the name of the Lord your God.
God told Moses in his Big Ten, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)
Sadly, God’s name is drug through the mud daily. It’s used as a swear word, something we say when we’re shocked or panicked, and a way in which we damn people to hell.
Needless to say, this is very disrespectful to God, and he doesn’t like it. His name is to be held as holy and is to be worshiped. It’s “a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
In fact, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12)
God’s name and the name of Jesus have the power to save and the power to command worship.
As it says in Philippians 2:10-11, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
One day everyone will bow the knee to Jesus. Even you. How will the way you used his name be remembered?
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
God said, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8)
God set a pattern for us to follow from the very beginning, and it included a day of rest. It started all the way back when God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 2:1-2 says, “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
There is a whole lot we could talk about in regards to having a sabbath rest. The Bible lets us know that God takes the sabbath rest very seriously. So much so that we find our eternal rest in Jesus Christ, our savior.
But let me just break it down simply for you. You need a day off to rest and to worship. That’s the bottom line.
Simply put, if God took a day of rest, we should follow his example. It doesn’t matter what day you choose because all days are holy to the Lord.
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
Take a day off to rest and to worship. God knows you need it. That’s why he created the Sabbath for us.
Think about it:
- How are you using God’s name?
- How can you change your vocabulary?
- What day can you take to rest and worship?
Verse of the Day:
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
