God’s Commands | Holy. Just. Love.

“OMG.” You see it everywhere in hashtags, on billboards, in texts, even on TV show title sequences. Can I tell you something? It breaks my heart. Seriously. Every time I see it or hear it, my heart crushes into my chest a little deeper. There are variations too on the same thing: Oh Em Gee, Oh My Gosh, Oh my God, Jeez, Jesus, they all stem from the same deplorable thing: breaking the third commandment. This is not a joke. It is a serious thing. Taking the LORD’s name in vain should not be a product of the time we live in. Be clear on this, it is a product of the deceptive design of Satan.

I am going to bring up something now that might be controversial. I will not apologize. I love you too much for that and too much is at stake. You may have been a Christian for a while and gotten desensitized to this. It is possible that this is not an issue for you because it never occurred to you that it is considered a sin (one of the top 3 by the way). But maybe, just maybe you are not fully saved. OK, now before you get defensive consider this: I spent 25 years thinking I was saved. On this topic I pretty much steered clear of saying “Oh my God” but occasionally I’d say it. Jeez was a regular statement for me. Then, I actually got saved. I was 39. Instantly my spirit was crushed every time I heard or saw any of the phrases taking the LORD’s name in vain. It was like the moment you decide you want to have a baby all you see are babies everywhere. It was all I could do to stop my ears. No one told me this, it was the Spirit inside me that was grieving what my own spirit never grieved before.

I am not saying that you personally are not saved if you say or use any of those statements, however I kind of am. Check yourself. While I am not God and I clearly do not have it all worked out I do know the God’s law is written on my heart and without any warning or theological training, this specific thing was so palpable written on my heart when I got saved and still is that I cannot help but think it should at least be viewed as a red flag and worth digging deeper to see if you are truly saved.

Do you keep His Commandments?

There is a great story my Pastor, Mike Fabarez tells of his childhood. He was a latch-key kid after school until his parents came home from work. His mom would leave a list of chores to be finished by the time she got home. Sure, Mike and his brother would play around all afternoon until it was about 30 minutes before Mom got home. Then they would rush around and do all the things she asked them to complete. If they didn’t, punishment would be their lot, and if they finished it all, that was what was to be expected.

Did you know God left us a list of things to do before He returns? It’s the Bible. His commands are plain and clear. Could you imagine telling your mom “Hey Mom, sorry I didn’t do what you asked me, I was busy.” or how about “I glanced at it but thought you wanted someone else to do it.” or my favorite, “I read the first line and it was too hard so I gave up.” I don’t know about you, but my Mom would have spanked me with the wooden spoon. Do you think God will be less of a judge to you when He returns?

There is another analogy I think about when I really want to put God in perspective.

If I punched my Mom, I would get grounded.
If I punched my Boss, I would get fired.
If I punched a Police Officer, I would get put in jail.
If I punched the President, I would get shot.
If I punched God, I would get “Oh, that’s OK little human, I’ll forgive you.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I would get pulverized and then get eternal damnation.

I think it is safe to say that we should consider our view of God as above all others when we flagrantly say, “His Word is too lengthy to read, and there are way too many do’s and don’ts to follow.” or “It is all too hard and I don’t like some of the things He wants me to do.” How would those statements go over with your Mom when you were 5? Consider the following verses in light of your own salvation.

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:3-6 (ESV)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. – 1 John 5:3-4 (ESV)