Title: Imagine if All Kept the 3rd Commandment!

Imagine a world where everyone would consider and live by the third commandment. Before we delve into this thought, I want to recap the first two commandments we have covered over the past two weeks. The First Commandment emphasizes that there are no other Gods, as only one God exists. 

What a difference if everyone obeyed this command. It would minimize the deception so prevalent in this world and set a foundation for listening to the instructions of the one true God.

The Second Commandment focuses on worshipping God directly, not through a man-made image representing God.

The Third Commandment focuses on God's name and using the name of God in any way that dishonors God. We find that the commandment written in the NKJV as:

7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

The name of God is extremely important to use correctly, as a name reflects an attribute, character, and even position. Many today casually use the name of God as an expression or, sadly, even as a way to curse someone. Many use a shortened OMG acronym in texting, demonstrating a lack of understanding and respect for God. This is taking the name of God in vain, or another way of saying it is misusing God's name.

We should never minimize or casualize God's name but instead honor and uphold the name of God as it reflects character, attributes, and authority.

Let's look at a few names of God we read in scripture.

We first see God's name as Elohim in Genesis 1:1 and 1:26, providing understanding that there is one God; however, the word Elohim in Hebrew is a plural noun used in a singular sense, indicating more than one person, similar to how we use the word family. A noun is used in a singular sense but refers to more than one person.   We learn more about God in John 1, verses 1 to 3, in support of the name Elohim and how everything was made.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. We see God, and through the Word that became Jesus Christ, supports the term Elohim as being one similar to one family but including more than one being.  (John 1:1-3, NKJV)

Let's focus momentarily on the Word member of Elohim who became Jesus Christ in context to the 3rd commandment.

Many use the name of Jesus Christ, who not only made all things but also is the savior of mankind, in a very casual and disrespectful way. How many television shows and movies do actors consistently use the name of Jesus Christ in shameful ways?  Jesus Christ is God, and His name should not be used in vain.

We also read in Genesis 17:1 that the name El Shaddai for God is used as God introduces himself to Abram, which, translated into English, means God Almighty. God is letting Abram know that He is the God who is the source of all power and a name that should be revered.

We also see Lord used in the Old Testament translated from the Hebrew letters YHWH. From the original Hebrew word YHWH this can be translated as the Eternal or self-Existent.  From this name we learn that God has always existed, and when we consider this mind-blowing truth, it provides every reason not to take God's name in vain.

Scripture also provides encouraging descriptors and attributes of God's character and nature through His name. Some examples are Yahweh Jireh (Gen 22:13) the Eternal provider, Yahweh rapha (Ex 15:26) the Eternal healer, and Yahweh Sabaoth (Ps 24:10) the Eternal of Hosts of armies

The third commandment is not to use God's name casually, and Jesus, in providing us a model of how to pray, begins with Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. The start of the model prayer refers to the third commandment of maintaining honor for God when using God's name.

Scripture teaches us to honor and respect God's name because of what the names represent and reflect about God.

Jesus showed another form of taking God's name in vain when he said those who call him Lord, Lord, but don't do the things he also taught. Christ's disciples do the teaching of the of God, not just call on his name while ignoring the teachings that Christ brought from the Father.

Let's return to the series theme and consider how things would be different in a world that observed the third commandment. There would be more respect and honor toward God's name, leading to a daily awareness of an almighty creator and the eternal one who deserves all honor and respect. This would lead to more consideration of God's laws and result in a more peaceful and respectful society.

Remember the commandment that those who causally and even disrespectfully use God's name are not guiltless.  Those in the body of Christ, the Church of God, are mindful of honoring God's name and giving God's name the highest respect as we should for who He is, and it may very well be a name we share together with all of God's servants, as we read in Revelation chapter 22.

3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Rev 22:3-4, NKJV)

As you complete your work week, let's all have a restful and peaceful Sabbath, as God showed in His example in Genesis when He rested and sanctified the 7th day.