Our Scripture reading this Sunday comes from Exodus 3 (the whole chapter). We will use this passage to look at the third commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” (Exodus 20:7)

There is a lot more to a name than a title that we use to address someone. Names represent something; something as common as a name carries with it one’s reputation, past accomplishments, character, and future expectations. For example, what happens when you read these familiar names?

Adolf Hitler.

Tiger Woods.

Michael Jordan.

Barack Obama.

Stephen Harper.

…

As you read them, what thoughts came to your mind? What images? What emotions? It’s amazing that something as simple as a name can sum up an individual for us.

I read the name, “Adolf Hitler” and I see images from history books, I remember “Modern History” class in grade 11, I remember building a model of Auschwitz in grade 8, I remember that a member of my church came to my junior high class and told of his experiences during WWII. Also, when I read his name I experience emotions of both anger and sadness – anger for what he was able to do, sadness for the incredible pain and suffering he caused for so many people.

I read the name, “Michael Jordan,” and I remember him hitting the shot over the Utah Jazz defender in the NBA finals, the TV commercials, and the “I want to be like Mike” advertising campaign. However, I also remember hearing about his gambling problems at a young age when I thought he was nearly untouchable and I remember realizing that even he – even Michael Jordan – was human. For him, now, I feel a sense of pity because of his struggles to be “normal” now that he cannot prove that he is the best on the basketball court anymore. (You can read an interesting article about Michael Jordan HERE)

When Moses asked God, “What is your name?” he wasn’t asking for a title. He was asking for a way to explain who He is to the Israelites enslaved in Egypt. God responds from the burning bush, “I AM WHO I AM,” (or, “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE,”) meaning that he alone defines his existence. It’s a strange “name” but what it does mean, in light of the third commandment is that God cannot tarnish his name. He is God. He is what He is. He will be what He will be.

But his people do have the ability to tarnish his name. By adopting Abraham and all his descendants as His children, they became his representatives to the nations who did not know him. This meant that the actions of the Israelites woudl reflect God's glory and God's character to the surrounding nations, so God called upon them to protect His name. They were not to make frivolous vows in God’s name, they were not to worship God and idols, they were not to blaspheme God’s name or allow the other nations to do this either. 

Often times we equate the third commandment with not saying, “OMG,” or, “O my God,” or using Jesus’ name as a swear word. As long as we don’t do those things, we feel like we are doing okay. But the third commandment is much bigger than that. In the third commandment we are called to protect the glory of God. That means we must protect God's glory in the way we speak, in the way we live, and in the way we treat other people.

As God’s children, we are His representatives. We carry with us the name, “Christian,” which is more than a title or our religious affiliation. It means that we are God’s children, bought by the blood of Christ. Remember that God’s name is “I AM WHO I AM” … and that means that His existence isn’t dependent upon us. He doesn’t need us in order to exist, but we need Him. God created us, and by His gracious love, He has redeemed and saved us in Jesus Christ. 

The third commandment reminds us that God should be primary in our lives. If we live our lives like we don’t need Him, or as though He doesn’t matter, we drain God’s name of His glory and we lead others away from Him. If we live like that, how can we expect others to want to be a Christian? Instead, we are commanded to live in such a way, talk in such a way, and worship God in such a way that we point others to God and all that He has graciously done for us. He has brought us from death to life.

Our grateful response to His saving grace must be to protect the glory of His name so that others will be drawn to Him.