You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.  Exodus 20:7

I’ve been thinking about what it means to “take the Lord’s name in vain.”  In our day, that phrase has come to mean saying “God” or “Jesus” either mindlessly (OMG!) or as an expletive.  While saying the Lord’s name carelessly or in anger does not demonstrate the reverence He deserves, I think God had a lot more in mind than that when He gave the Third Commandment.

What does it mean to “take the name” of the Lord?  Well, when I got married, I “took” my husband’s name.  I aligned myself with him, our assets combined, we became one in the eyes of God and the IRS.  I am now identified (among other things) by his last name.  If I don’t live like I am married to my husband, if I ignore him and make all my decisions on my own without considering him, why did I get married?

To call myself a Christian is to take Christ’s name for myself.  And that’s a good thing.  Paul tells us to do everything in the name of Jesus.  But if I act on my own, not according to his will, not aligned with him, then what is the significance of having his name attached to me?  What if I do not reflect his character – is not his name in me then ineffectual, or even harmful?  I am challenged to not take his name in vain in how I live, speak, and love.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.  1 John 2:3-6