Exodus 20:7 says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” I was always taught that this meant that we should not curse using the name of the Lord. Also, I was taught that we should not just use His name without a reason. Both of these are true but as I began to understand the premise of covenant, I received more enlightenment on this command. I will not take you through the fullness of my study. However, I will let you in on one of the most important and beautiful parts of covenant. Once a covenant is made, all parties that are involved have access to everything associated with anyone that is involved in the covenant. Simply put, once we entered into covenant with God, we now have access to all that He is and all that He has. We can’t stop there. We must remember that He now is entitled to access to all that you are and all that you have. The greatest thing that we receive as His bride is His name.
As the Lord began to speak to me regarding taking His name, I began to relate to the scripture in a new way. I began to see a people that had been given the blessing to be called by His name but acted with such carelessness. I began to see a people that had been received by the God of creation but used their power for empty purposes. I saw a people that had reduced their God to an ATM in prayer. I saw a people who have forgotten to reverence Him and show Him the proper respect. And, unfortunately those who have received His name have done this in the sight of those who haven’t. Our life should be a testament of who God is. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:7, “A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.” In this text, glory means doxa which is translated opinion (always a good opinion when used in the New Testament). So the bible is saying that man is the good opinion of God and woman is the good opinion of man. I have been married for four years. I, now, understand this scripture much more.
A wife is simply an extension of her husband. Whenever she goes somewhere she is seen as such and however she is perceived affects people’s opinion of her husband. If she acts a fool, then her husband could be perceived as a man who is weak and lacks good leadership. If she is reverent and hospitable, her husband could be perceived as a man of honor who is respected in his household. We are his bride; the way we are perceived affects people’s perception of Him. He has given us His name, we must not take this privilege lightly. We must not live a life that associates His name with worthless fruitless works. I admonish the bride to renew her vows with her God. I admonish her to take a good look at her self and see where she has been careless in the carrying of His name.
It is time that we restore the church; He’s given us the power to restore it back to a respectable place. This must be done by the restoration of reverence towards the name of God and His commands. O church, take heed to the word and understand that if we ever desire to move in the power that He’s promised it can only be through His name. Stay on The Path.
