Honour His Name

God so wanted us to understand what he is like, especially his nature that he sent Jesus Christ as the perfect example of all that he is, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father", said Jesus (John 14:9).

The name 'Jesus' significantly means 'God saves'. 'Christ' means 'anointed (one)'. The name of Jesus Christ is crucial to our salvation, but just repeatedly saying his name without understanding its significance and allowing it to influence our lives is meaningless. Paul said, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19).

Whatever we, as Christians do, is to be done in a way that would receive the approval and authority of Jesus Christ - in His name. However, using his name in any way that would bring disrespect or shame is a sin and breaks the third commandment.

The behaviour of those who follow God either honours or dishonours him. God's Word describes those who obey his commandments as the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew
5:13-4, 18). Followers represent him and what he stands for before all of humanity.

Ancient Israel, however, failed in honouring God. They used God's name in vulgar ways throughout the nations. The Israelites finally brought so much shame on God's name that he allowed their enemies to make them captive and remove them from their land.

The apostle Paul explains that people who hypocritically call themselves by God's name and portray themselves as His people, while refusing to obey Him, actually blaspheme his name. Paul said, "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you" (Romans 2:24).

Paul explains that even some people who proclaim to be Christians disgrace God's name with their behaviour, "Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed" (Timothy 6:1).

Christians are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20), his personal representatives. Discourteous and disrespectful behaviour by ambassadors dishonours God in the eyes of others, for it reproaches the name of God, which they claim to bear.