At a casual glance, most would consider this command to mean that we are not to say "G_ _ D_ _ _ it" (You can fill in the blanks yourself). This should be obvious to all that cussing should not be a part of anyone's vocabulary. It is totally rude and unnecessary. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that simply because they do not cuss, they are not breaking the third commandment. However, we are not looking at the commandments that way, we are looking at them as commitments, as Jesus saw them. When Jesus expanded the command to not commit adultery to include looking at a woman and lusting after her as adultery, He was looking at a deeper commitment we must have toward a simple commandment. So likewise we will be looking beyond the command not to misuse God's name but to honor His name.
God revealed His name to Moses in Exodus when Moses asked: "Whom shall I say sent me?" God responded: "I AM that I AM". Now the name: "I AM" seems incomplete doesn't it? Why would God say that His name was "I AM?" Jesus explained in Matthew 22:32 that the "I AM" means that He is God of the living, not the dead and because of the present tense usage, implies that Abraham and Issac are still alive. So we are to take the "tense" of the Name seriously, but even more than this, we are to take His last name seriously as well. What is the last name of God? Jesus said that God revealed himself as "I AM the God of Abraham". So in a sense, His last name is "the God of Abraham". The last name of God refers to a more specific personal relationship that He has with those who believe in His name. If you were to list the "last names" of God in scripture you would find over five or six hundred of them. Here are just a few:
Almighty God
Alpha and Omega
An ensign for the nations
An ensign of the people
Ancient of days
Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Jesus)
Author and finisher of our faith (Jesus)
Author of eternal salvation (Jesus)
Author of peace
Beginning of the creation of God (Jesus)
Blessed and only Potentate
Bread of God (Jesus)
Bread of life (Jesus)
Bright and morning star
Buckler to all those that trust in him
Buckler to them that walk uprightly
Captain of their salvation (Jesus)
Christ Jesus
Christ Jesus our Lord
Christ in you, the hope of glory
... and the last names go on and on.
So if you were to use God's first name: "I AM" then then add His last name you would have:
I AM the Almighty God
I AM the Alpha and Omega
I AM An ensign for the nations
I AM An ensign of the people
I AM the Ancient of days
etc...
Now this what I believe being committed to God's name means for us today. If you have known the grace, presence and peace of God for many years, and you are in a real and loving relationship with Christ right now, you know Him as: "I AM the God who saved me", "I AM the God that healed me", "I AM the God that loves me." etc. In other words, when you pray, you are able to pray in His Name: "I AM" and then apply His last name to your current circumstance, situation and need. We are called to pray to the "I AM the God who answers prayer", "I AM the God who helped me get through college", "I AM the God who opened doors for me", "I AM the God who provided a job for me when I needed one really bad", "I AM the God who healed my loved one.." etc.
Understanding God's first and last name in this way brings excitement to our Bible study, depth in relationship with Him, excitement to our prayer life and hope for tomorrow.
Our commitment is not just to "not cuss", or "mis-use" His name, it is a commitment to "use" God's Name, invoking it prayer, because His name, first and last, are extremely powerful.
Stay committed!
Pastor Vince
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