"Hollowed Be Thy Name"
There is value in a name. Some names we hold in high regards while others have been tarnished by a bad reputation. When we think of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan or Barak Obama we remember these men for what they've done with their lives. The name Adolf Hitler conjures up a negative image of a horrific time in world history while the achievements of George Washington are remembered fondly. These are mere men but when it comes to God, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear His name? Do you value His position and who He is?
In this post we are continuing our series on the Lord's prayer. Jesus began the prayer with, "Our Father, who art in Heaven" and then continues, Hallowed be Thy Name. Unlike our typical prayer life today, the Lord's prayer didn't start with petitions or a prayer list. This prayer was meant to awaken our souls to the reality of God's character. I mean, Who in the world are we actually talking to when we bow our heads and close our eyes? Is it the God we imagine Him to be or the God He really is?
A Bad Mouth or a Wrong Heart Attitude?
The ten commandments clearly teaches that we are not to take God's name in vain or misuse it in any way. But the name of our God is frequently muttered in times of frustration or anger and strangely enough it is also used in moments of surprise or shock. Is the average person praying to God in these instances? I highly doubt that! This careless verbal usage of God's name is in vain and it is wrong.
Where the line is considered debatable is when people use the popular euphemisms for God and Jesus. We won't dive into that particular subject now but I would encourage you to do a little research on the seemingly harmless and widely accepted words that hold direct reference to taking God's name in vain. (Question: have you ever asked God what He thinks of us using the words, "gosh, gee, golly, etc"?)
In the Lord's prayer, God's name is reverenced. In the Greek the word "hollowed" has the idea of being sanctified, being separated from profane things, consecrated, pure, and holy. This should be our heart attitude when we come into the presence of God.
Questions to Ponder
You and I might not take God's name in vain but do we hold His position of holiness and righteousness with reverence or is this too in vain? Could it be that a wrong heart attitude that carelessly waltzes into the presence of God is just as wrong as saying His name in vain? The first two things in the Lord's prayer bring to light the beautiful balance between God's love, grace and mercy (our Father who art in Heaven) and God's righteousness, holiness and justice (Hallowed be Thy name). Next time you kneel before God in prayer, remember Who you have the privilege to talk to and show reverence to His name.
Questions? You can either email me or leave me a message on my voicemail or text my google number: 646-504-6263
There is value in a name. Some names we hold in high regards while others have been tarnished by a bad reputation. When we think of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan or Barak Obama we remember these men for what they've done with their lives. The name Adolf Hitler conjures up a negative image of a horrific time in world history while the achievements of George Washington are remembered fondly. These are mere men but when it comes to God, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear His name? Do you value His position and who He is?
A Bad Mouth or a Wrong Heart Attitude?
The ten commandments clearly teaches that we are not to take God's name in vain or misuse it in any way. But the name of our God is frequently muttered in times of frustration or anger and strangely enough it is also used in moments of surprise or shock. Is the average person praying to God in these instances? I highly doubt that! This careless verbal usage of God's name is in vain and it is wrong.
Where the line is considered debatable is when people use the popular euphemisms for God and Jesus. We won't dive into that particular subject now but I would encourage you to do a little research on the seemingly harmless and widely accepted words that hold direct reference to taking God's name in vain. (Question: have you ever asked God what He thinks of us using the words, "gosh, gee, golly, etc"?)
In the Lord's prayer, God's name is reverenced. In the Greek the word "hollowed" has the idea of being sanctified, being separated from profane things, consecrated, pure, and holy. This should be our heart attitude when we come into the presence of God.
Questions to Ponder
You and I might not take God's name in vain but do we hold His position of holiness and righteousness with reverence or is this too in vain? Could it be that a wrong heart attitude that carelessly waltzes into the presence of God is just as wrong as saying His name in vain? The first two things in the Lord's prayer bring to light the beautiful balance between God's love, grace and mercy (our Father who art in Heaven) and God's righteousness, holiness and justice (Hallowed be Thy name). Next time you kneel before God in prayer, remember Who you have the privilege to talk to and show reverence to His name.
Questions? You can either email me or leave me a message on my voicemail or text my google number: 646-504-6263
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