Taking the Lord's Name in Vain - The Third Commandment

Monday, April 9, 2012

Most people, even those who are not Christians, know some of the Ten Commandments. While all of the Ten Commandments get broken, some of them are broken more often than others and by Christians themselves.

Most Commonly Known Commandments

Commandment Six - Thou shalt not kill.
Commandment Eight - Thou shalt not steal.

and even,

Commandment Five - Honour thy Father and Mother.

But, what about the other seven Commandments? Especially, Commandment number three? The Third Commandment seems to be one that gets broken the most. Why is this?

Exodus 20:7 KJV

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord they God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

The Third Commandment Today

Just about every television show you turn on today uses the Lord's name in vain. Even cartoons have this problem. And, yes, it is a major problem. How do we expect our children to know what is right and wrong, to love God, and to grow up to be strong Christian adults if we can't teach them one of the simplest of the Ten Commandments?

In case you didn't realize...

Saying, "Oh my," then, "God", is using the Lord's name in vain. Even using the letters O, M, and G are wrong as they stand for the same thing. Even if you are not using the letters to mean this, what do other people think you are saying? As Christians, we should strive to be the best we can be for God.

What about this old saying?

"Lordy, Lordy, Look who's forty?"

Have you heard or used this? What does it have to do with the Lord? Nothing.

Today's society tends to throw God's name around everywhere that it doesn't belong. His name should be used correctly.

Using God's Name Correctly

The only time we should use God's name is when:

1. We are talking TO him.
2. We are talking ABOUT him.
3. We are PRAISING him.
4. We are READING about him.

God's name is holy and shouldn't be thrown around without any thought at all. The next time you use the Lord's name in vain, stop and think about what you've done.

• You have just broken the Third Commandment.
• You have just acted like everyone else in this world who doesn't think enough about God to use his name correctly.
• You have given others a reason to believe it is acceptable.
• You are not showing others you are a Christian.

Of course, this doesn't mean you are not a Christian. It just means you need to correct yourself now, ask for God's forgiveness, and get back on track!


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Philip explains the Bible to the Ethiopian Man

Friday, October 1, 2010

Does the name Philip ring a bell? It should there was a twelve disciple named Philip. but there was also another Philip mentioned in the Bible.

This man named Philip was telling the people of Samaria about Jesus when an angel spoke to him. The angel instructed Philip to go to the desert road that lead from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Philip obeyed and began the walk down the desert road. On this same road an Ethiopian man came riding in a chariot with a Bible scroll in his hands. He was trying to read it and figure out what the words meant. As the chariot came close to Philip he asked the man, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

The man did not and ask Philip to sit beside him in the chariot and tell him what the words meant. Philip explained about Jesus and how the man must ask Jesus to come into his heart if he wanted to go to Heaven. He also told him about baptizism and as he did the Ethiopian man said, "Look, there is water."

So, on the desert road Philip baptized the newly saved man and after he did Philip was immediately whisk away to a new place to teach. Was it magic? Or was it God?

In case you do not know God is all powerful. There is nothing too great or too small for him.

Find this true story in the book of Acts 8:4-6, 26-40 KJV

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Salvation is the Road Leading to Heaven

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Bible states plainly, For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. Romans 10:13 KJV.

Eternal life awaits those who are saved.

Salvation is the renewing of the spirit. It is a rescue from sin and from death. Without salvation and being cleansed of all sin Heaven cannot be entered into. Salvation cleanses one of all sin. Sin is human nature but, through Jesus Christ all sins are washed away.

The Birth of Jesus Christ is the First Christmas Story

Most everyone has heard the Christmas story. Long ago, Jesus came to earth as a baby being born in a stable. He was surrounded by the animals that lived in the stable. He did not have a warm blanket or a soft bed. Mary, his mother, wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. Sounds like an extraordinary beginning doesn't it?

Did you know swaddling clothes were actually torn cloth that was used to wipe the animals and a manger was what the animals food was dumped into for them to eat. Imagine the horrible smell of the animals that surrounded this wonderful blessing from above. Why would Jesus choose to leave a perfect Heaven and come to a sinful earth? Simple. For human salvation.

With the exception of a few passages not much is told of Jesus as a child. Not until Jesus was thirty years old did the Bible begin to record his ministry. Jesus traveled from town to town teaching and healing for three years then, made his way to an upper room where the Last Supper took place. Here Jesus foretold of one disciple's betrayal. Judas, one of the twelve disciples, sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Such a small price for Jesus' life.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

 
It wasn't a surprise to Jesus when the Roman soldiers came to take him away. He knew his crucifixion was at hand. From the beginning of time, a sacrifice had to be given for forgiveness of sin. Now, Jesus would become the last sacrifice. Hanging on the cross he took all sin upon himself, paying the price for all the sin in the world then and now. Yes, he died. But, thank the Lord the story did not end there.

Jesus' body was taken down, wrapped in white linen and placed inside a tomb. A rock was rolled over the opening of the tomb. Three days later when the women come to pour spices on his body, they found something amazing had occurred. The stone had been rolled away and his body wasn't there. Although Jesus in his resurrected body stayed on earth for forty days, he did ascend to Heaven where he now abides until he comes again to rapture those who are saved from this sinful world.

Salvation Leads Straight to Heaven

 

Getting to Heaven cannot be done by good works alone as many think. Actually, it is much simpler than that.

The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

By believing on Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness of sin, and asking him to come live in your heart thou shalt be saved.

In the Bible Jesus says in John 3:16

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish

but have eternal life.

By believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and asking for salvation and forgiveness of sin he will give eternal life in Heaven with him and those saved who have gone on before us. Living a life with Jesus will be a rewarding and adventurous one.
Source: King James Bible

Bible picture by:Billy Alexander

credit link: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1206351

Bethlehem Star picture by:Ben Earwicker

http://www.garrisonphoto.org/

credit link: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/695142

Heaven picture by: Robert Michie

credit link:http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1264231

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