The Holiest Name

Hallowed Be Thy Name.  Jesus

Looking In The Rear View Mirror

As I sit here writing, I think about the third commandment:  You know what it is, don't you?  It tells us that "you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain."  I remember, when I was growing up, even the most non spiritual or irreligious person, whose mouth was "like a sewer," would say to me, "Well at least I don't take the name of the Lord in vain." They meant they didn't say the "G.D." words where they swore a curse using God's name; however, when the early Hebrews intersected this command, they really took it differently. They took using God's name completely serious. They would even be reluctant to write the name out completely. Some still today only write "G-D," and the early Hebrews were even so concerned about treating this name with the utmost respect, they would not even say it outloud: They were completely afraid of using the wrong tone of voice when saying the LORD's name. This is pure holy reverent fear, and it is  bathed in love for The Creator.

What Jesus Wanted and What Jesus Taught

As Jesus taught us how to pray according to the will of God, right after identifying the most holy, loving, just and righteous Father, He talked about the Father's name. The second most important part of praying, according to God's will, is requesting God's name be hallowed.  That is, God would have us pray for God's name to be revered. The very Son of God hungered for us to pray for people to be in awe of God's name. And because God is truly the ONLY One who is "awesome," He is asking us to pray in AWE of the Awesome One -- as He actually IS -- and as the ONE of wonder and of mystery. 

A  Coarse Culture

Therefore,  we, who still obey, and pray the Lord's Prayer, as Jesus taught us, pray "Hallowed be thy name."  Yet, our culture seems to have forgotten how important God's name is to God the Father, God the Son, as well as God the Holy Spirit." All too many seem to have forgotten, they violate God's law misusing God's name. We hear a person surprised just blurt out, "MY GOD!"  Or many Facebook, in social media lingo, "OMG!"  Angry people, some claiming Christ, will even say the exclamation where they want God to damn someone, and they think nothing of it.  Some use the name "Jesus Christ" as a swear word that flows, with sewer like pollution, from their mouths; additionally, it is getting more difficult to go to a movie today without an actor abusing this name in order to be "real." 

Embracing God Daily

So, how are we in embracing the name of our Heavenly Father and Holy God? Is there evidence  of a deep abiding love for our Creator?  Is there godly fear,  reverence, awe, wonder, mystery flowing from our mouths about Him? What actually comes out of our mouths?  Jesus tells us that, whatever is coming out of our mouths, is an example of what is flowing up from within our hearts. In other words, the true condition of our hearts is clearly indicated by what habitually comes out of our mouths. 

Taking Your Spiritual Pulse

Take your spiritual pulse: First, do this by measuring the way you speak concerning God and His name. Is there a  river of reverence flowing up from within you? What do your words reveal about your heart?  How "awesome" is God to you? Or are their other mere creatures you think of as "awesome" more frequently. When you think about God, in your life, do you still think of Him with "wonder?"   Are God's ways still mysterious for you? Or are you so enlightened it's easy for you to misuse His name?  It's not true that God "understands" when you violate His Holy Law (Commandments) and simply take God, and God's name for granted. 

Become A Transformed Creation

Let me encourage you: Be renewed. Be transformed. Turn from this sin (Law breaking,) Turn from any other sin, to Jesus, who is the Christ, and then let God take over the condition of your heart and mind. Let God write His laws there,  and put them on your mind. Let God  transform you, by the power of His Holy Spirit.  For He has promised that He "will write His laws on our hearts, and He will place them in our minds, and your sins and lawless acts, He will remember no more. Let Him sprinkle you from an evil guilty conscience." and let Him wash you clean and pure (Hebrews 10: 15-23) For God "who promises is faithful." (Hebrews 10:24.)  

Hallow God, and His name today, as He makes you more like Him. You will be glad you did.

SoJourner.