10 Commandments: Third Commandment

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.Last time The first four commandments amplify the "greatest commandment": to love the Lord our God with all our heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).As we learned, the first commandment is to worship God only, allowing no false god to capture our heart. The second forbids  concretely disobeying the first -- creating an idol. The third also follows from God's nature as holy and absolute: reverence for his name.TextThird commandmentExodus 20:7: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.CommentsTaking the Lord's name in vain does not directly refer to "swearing" -- unless actual oaths are in view.God's name is misused when we appeal to it in an oath we do not intend to keep.Under the new covenant, we do not need oaths.Jesus' teaching (Matthew 5:33-37; see James 5:12) is susceptible of two understandings.We are forbidden to make or take oaths.We should be so trustworthy that we don't need oaths (or contracts, etc).God's name is also misused when it becomes a handle by which we aim to manipulate him:To assure good luckTo receive "yes" answers to our prayersTo wring concessions from the LordThought questions Do I have a mechanical approach to faith?How do I react with others dishonor God's name?Am I a man/woman of my word?Further study: listen to the podcast on The Name of God, in which I reason thatIt is unnecessary to sign off prayers "in Jesus' name," as though failing to do so is like failing to put a stamp on your letter.Baptisms are de facto in the name of Jesus Christ when performed to submit the one being baptized to the Lordship of Christ, regardless of which baptismal "formula" is used -- or any at all.God's name represents his authority, presence, and nature. Next time: the fourth commandment.