This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0241_01C3B0F5.58C22360
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_001_0242_01C3B0F5.58C22360"
------=_NextPart_001_0242_01C3B0F5.58C22360
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Blank
"Distributing the Good Gospel Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"
=20
PO Box 2392 Daly City, CA 94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 =
Fax: 1-650-757-5750
Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com E-Mail:
=20
Taking the Name of the Lord In Vain
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the =
Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." - Exodus =
20:7
How does one "take the name of the Lord in vain"? It has been said =
that to "take the name of the Lord in vain" means to use the word "God" =
in a profane expression. Certainly, to use the word "God" in an =
irreverent manner is not good; however, that is not what is intended by =
the biblical phrase, "taking the name of the Lord in vain". The true =
meaning of that phrase is made clear if we substitute "bear" for the =
word, "take". We would then have this for our scripture from Exodus =
20:7: "Thou shalt not bear the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord =
will not hold him guiltless who bears His name in vain."=20
Jesus told Paul that he was to "bear my name before the Gentiles, =
and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Bearing the precious =
name of Jesus with integrity, faith, and charity, Paul turned many to =
righteousness in the ensuing years. He did not bear, or take the name of =
the Lord upon himself, in vain. As Paul later testified, "His grace =
which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more =
abundantly than they all." (1Cor.15:10).
After Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he took her to =
Mount Sinai, to enter into a covenant with the Lord. First, though, the =
Lord sent Moses down from the mountain to deliver His "proposal" to =
Israel: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you =
on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will =
obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar =
treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. And ye =
shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Ex.19:4-6.
The prospective bride accepted His proposal (v.8), and the date =
was set for the ceremony: "Be ready against the third day, for the third =
day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount =
Sinai." Ex.19:11
When a man and a woman are united in a covenant of marriage, they =
become, "one flesh" (Gen.2:24). And this "one flesh" bears one name. For =
example, when Barbara Myers and I were married, she became Barbara =
Clark. She took my name. She has been a great blessing to my life, a =
wonderful, helpful mate in Christ. And we have four beautiful children. =
She did not take my name in vain. But if she had been unfaithful, or had =
caused me financial difficulty, or been in any other way a hindrance in =
Christ, the purpose for our being married would have not been achieved. =
She would have taken my name in vain, for nothing. Similarly, when we =
enter into covenant with God by receiving the holy Ghost, we become one =
with Him in Spirit (1Cor.6:17), and in so doing, we take His holy name. =
From that time, everything we do or say reflects on the name we bear. We =
may bear it honorably or dishonorably, faithfully or unfaithfully.
God insisted that Israel bear His name honorably. He chose Israel =
to be the vehicle for His divine light, and by obeying His Law she would =
shine, and draw other nations to God. Aware of the risk that Israel =
would bring disgrace upon His holy name, God gave the warning, "Thou =
shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain". Unfortunately, =
Israel did not heed the warning given.
After demonstrating great patience and mercy on His unfaithful =
spouse, God finally announced that He would no longer recognize that =
first covenant. In other words, He divorced Israel. Jesus told the =
leaders of Israel, "the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and =
given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Mt.21:43). The =
prophets often likened Israel to a vineyard which produced bitter fruit =
instead of sweet grapes. Isaiah (5:7) says, "The vineyard of the Lord of =
hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. =
And he looked for [justice], but behold oppression, for righteousness, =
but behold a cry [from the oppressed poor]." "I planted thee a noble =
vine, wholly a right seed, " lamented the Lord through Jeremiah, "how =
then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto =
me?" (Jer.2:21). Israel became "an empty vine" (Hos.10:1). Israel took =
the name of Jehovah upon herself, but then was unfaithful to His =
commandments and walked not in His ways. Unfruitful in righteousness, =
she took His name for nothing, in vain.=20
"Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt. Thou hast cast out the =
heathen, and planted it"
Faithfulness, and, so, fruitfulness is required of all who are in =
covenant with God (cp.Rom.7:4). Israel was given the Law to guide her =
into the lifestyle that would result in fruitfulness, and Israel's only =
hope of being fruitful was to obey it, but she did not. The church has =
been given the Spirit to guide her, and the church's only hope of =
bearing fruit acceptable with God is to obey the Spirit, and she has =
not. Without the anointing of the Spirit there can be no acceptable =
worship, no right doctrine, no profitable labor, and no holy =
relationships, and it is tragic beyond words that the Holy Ghost baptism =
is considered by many in the church to be an optional experience. If =
Israel erred, and was condemned, for not heeding the Law, then can the =
church be less guilty if we ignore, or relegate to a secondary position, =
the greater Guide? Paul underscores this by saying, "For as many as are =
led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God" (Rom.8:14).
Those who are led of the Spirit do not live in sin (Gal.6:16), =
because there is no sin in Him (1Jn.1:5). Spirit-led believers bear holy =
fruits of the Spirit, which are these: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, =
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. To these we might =
add Peter's list in 2Pet.1:5-7, with his comment that, "if these be in =
you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor =
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." We can bear God's =
name honorably only as we walk in the new life of the Spirit of God. A =
believer who is not obedient to the Spirit has received that Spirit for =
nothing, and is bearing God's name disgracefully, fruitlessly - in vain. =
May God, in His great mercy, help us all to take full advantage of the =
precious opportunity to live and worship in the Spirit and in the truth, =
for therein lies our only hope of bearing God's name in a manner which =
will produce the fruit He requires of His people.
The world's attitude toward God is often shaped by the lifestyles =
of those who bear His name. How many immoral and idolatrous lives were =
changed by the good influence of the Apostles' lives! The apostles =
understood the importance of holy living. They knew that unbelievers are =
influenced by the conduct of those who are called by the name of the =
Lord, either to reverence or disdain him. They were adamant that the =
church live so "that the name of our God and his doctrine be not =
blasphemed" (1Tim.6:1). Jesus demonstrated this same concern when he =
said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good =
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mt.5:16).
Our lives are the only Bible which some will ever read. Are men =
reading good things about your heavenly Father in your life, my brother? =
my sister? What kind of God would those around you say that God is, =
based upon your lifestyle and conversation? Would they think He is slow =
to anger? Could they believe that He is merciful? holy? a compassionate =
God, not wanting any to perish?
Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that, because of the manner of =
some believers, the unconverted hold a low opinion of the Lord. Speaking =
of the Lord's Old Testament people who were evil, Paul wrote, "the name =
of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you" (Rom.2:24; =
Isa.52:5). What a sad commentary on their lives! Yet, even those well =
known for their devotion to God have, by stumbling into a transgression, =
sometimes brought shame upon the holy name they bore. Sternly rebuking =
King David, who was crushed with remorse for his sin with Bathsheba, the =
prophet Nathan said, "by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the =
enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (2Sam.12:14). Nathan was not concerned =
that the Lord's enemies would blaspheme David for his sin. What =
disturbed him was, he knew that sinful souls would use David's sin to =
defame the God David served. Oh, how it must have grieved David to think =
of the disgrace he had brought upon the One who had lifted him from the =
lowly status of shepherd-boy to be King of Israel! David's heartfelt =
confession of sin included an acknowledgement that his sin had actually =
been against God Himself (Ps.51:4), for it was God's holy name which was =
brought into disgrace by David's evil deed.=20
It is not surprising that one of Paul's requirements for one who =
would occupy the office of a bishop was that "he must have good report =
of them which are outside [the faith]" (1Tim.3:7). Paul knew that living =
honestly toward those outside the faith lends more credence to one's =
verbal witness. How can one expect to win someone to Christ if he owes =
that person a debt and will not pay it? or if that person beholds in the =
believer any unrighteous conduct? It is imperative, for the sake of =
Christ Jesus and for the souls of men, that we "give none occasion to =
the adversary to speak reproachfully" (1Tim.5:14). If anyone refuses to =
serve the Lord Jesus, it is important that the reason they refuse to =
serve him not be that one of Jesus' followers has mistreated him! In =
every circumstance, our highest priority should always be to bring glory =
to God.
Dear friend, soon this little life will be ended. Soon those who =
love us will be gathered around our graves. What will your life have =
told them about Christ Jesus? Oh, let us make the most of these fleeting =
hours and strive to "adorn the gospel of God our Savior in all things", =
so that we leave no shadow cast upon the name of Jesus. What greater =
epitaph can we have figuratively engraved upon the hearts of those who =
knew us than for them to know, in their hearts, that we lived "soberly, =
righteously, and godly, in this present world"? What greater gift could =
we give?=20
How strongly I feel the compassion of Christ in the injunction =
Paul gave, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from =
iniquity" (2Tim.2:19). My friend in Christ, let us be "followers of God, =
as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and =
hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet =
smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, =
let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, neither =
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which is not convenient, =
but rather giving of thanks."
If you are among those who have strayed from the right path, =
consider again what others are thinking about your dear Lord because of =
you. I once wandered away from the Lord, and I remember that when I had =
rejoined sinful company, my unbelieving friends would sometimes make =
light of faith in God, and in doing so would confidently look at me, as =
if I should most of all agree with their scornful words. To them, I was =
living proof that trusting and serving God was worthless, for I had =
"tried it" and then returned to the ways of the world. They didn't blame =
me for my unfaithfulness to God. They assumed that God was an unreal =
figment of man's imagination. That always made me uncomfortable, for =
nothing could have been farther from the truth, and I knew it.=20
Thinking now of the harm I did to the name of Jesus, and to my =
friends, who needed desperately for someone to be a light for their =
lives, I am filled with all the more awe and gratitude that the Lord =
called me to himself again. Needless to say, I am resolved that, by the =
grace of God, my life shall never again be other than a testimony to His =
mercy, His holiness, His wisdom, and His power. God forbid that any of =
us should ever again give cause for another to reproach the name of =
Jesus. Let us love both God and sinners that much.
What more compelling reason could we have for living a holy life =
than to bring honor to the holy name we bear? Genuine thankfulness for =
being forgiven is demonstrated by consecrated living. Nothing declares =
the goodness of God to the world any more clearly or forcefully than =
does an honest, holy life. Let us all determine not to take the name of =
our Lord in vain. On the contrary, by the simplicity and sincerity of =
godliness let us "show forth the praises of him who hath called you out =
of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Pet. 2:9). It is for that =
purpose that He sent us His Spirit. And it is only in accomplishing that =
purpose that we do not bear His holy name in vain.=20
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here,
and you can E-mail them to: GSAVELLI@aol.com=20
=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------
Back to Top
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.542 / Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 11/18/2003
------=_NextPart_001_0242_01C3B0F5.58C22360
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Blank</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dwindows-1252"><BASE=20
href=3D"file://C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft =
Shared\Stationery\">
<STYLE>BODY {
MARGIN-TOP: 25px; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 25px; COLOR: #000000; =
FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica
}
P.msoNormal {
MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; COLOR: #ffffcc; =
FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica, "Times New Roman"
}
LI.msoNormal {
MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; COLOR: #ffffcc; =
FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica, "Times New Roman"
}
</STYLE>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 5.50.4134.100" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff =
background=3Dcid:023c01c3b11f$40e8b180$5b8b960c@oemcomputer>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P>
<P>
<CENTER><FONT face=3Darial size=3D3><B>"Distributing the Good Gospel =
Materials of=20
the Pioneer Tract Society"</B></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D550 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR height=3D35>
<TD width=3D550 bgColor=3D#000000 height=3D35><IMG height=3D35=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/bartop.gif"=20
width=3D550 border=3D0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D1>PO Box 2392 Daly =
City, CA=20
94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 Fax:=20
1-650-757-5750<BR>Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com =
=20
E-Mail: </CENTER>
<P></FONT> </P>
<P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D600 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><IMG height=3D241 hspace=3D10=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/reli58.gif"=20
width=3D150 align=3Dleft vspace=3D5 border=3D1> <!-- ******** END =
OF HEADER *************** --><A name=3Dtop></A>
<CENTER>
<H1><FONT color=3Dpurple>Taking the Name of the Lord In=20
Vain</FONT></H1></CENTER>
<P><FONT size=3D4>
<CENTER><B><I>"Thou shalt not take
the name of the Lord thy God in =
vain,=20
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in =
vain." -=20
Exodus 20:7</B></I></CENTER>
<P>How does one <B><I>"take the name of the Lord in vain"</B></I>? =
It has=20
been said that to "take the name of the Lord in vain" means to use =
the=20
word "God" in a profane expression. Certainly, to use the word =
"God" in an=20
irreverent manner is not good; however, that is not what is =
intended by=20
the biblical phrase, "taking the name of the Lord in vain". The =
true=20
meaning of that phrase is made clear if we substitute "bear" for =
the word,=20
"take". We would then have this for our scripture from Exodus =
20:7:=20
<B><I>"Thou shalt not bear the name of the Lord in vain, for the =
Lord will=20
not hold him guiltless who bears His name in vain."</B></I>=20
<P>Jesus told Paul that he was to <B><I>"bear my name before the =
Gentiles,=20
and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15).</B></I> =
Bearing the=20
precious name of Jesus with integrity, faith, and charity, Paul =
turned=20
many to righteousness in the ensuing years. He did not bear, or =
take the=20
name of the Lord upon himself, in vain. As Paul later testified,=20
<B><I>"His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I =
labored=20
more abundantly than they all." (1Cor.15:10).</B></I>
<P>After Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he took her to =
Mount=20
Sinai, to enter into a covenant with the Lord. First, though, the =
Lord=20
sent Moses down from the mountain to deliver His "proposal" to =
Israel:=20
<B><I>"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare =
you on=20
eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye =
will obey=20
my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar =
treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. And =
ye shall=20
be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." =
Ex.19:4-6.</B></I>
<P>The prospective bride accepted His proposal (v.8), and the date =
was set=20
for the ceremony: <B><I>"Be ready against the third day, for the =
third day=20
the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount =
Sinai."=20
Ex.19:11</B></I>
<P>When a man and a woman are united in a covenant of marriage, =
they=20
become,<B><I> "one flesh" (Gen.2:24)</B></I>. And this "one flesh" =
bears=20
one name. For example, when Barbara Myers and I were married, she =
became=20
Barbara Clark. She took my name. She has been a great blessing to =
my life,=20
a wonderful, helpful mate in Christ. And we have four beautiful =
children.=20
She did not take my name in vain. But if she had been unfaithful, =
or had=20
caused me financial difficulty, or been in any other way a =
hindrance in=20
Christ, the purpose for our being married would have not been =
achieved.=20
She would have taken my name in vain, for nothing. Similarly, when =
we=20
enter into covenant with God by receiving the holy Ghost, we =
become one=20
with Him in Spirit (1Cor.6:17), and in so doing, we take His holy =
name.=20
From that time, everything we do or say reflects on the name we =
bear. We=20
may bear it honorably or dishonorably, faithfully or unfaithfully.
<P>God insisted that Israel bear His name honorably. He chose =
Israel to be=20
the vehicle for His divine light, and by obeying His Law she would =
shine,=20
and draw other nations to God. Aware of the risk that Israel would =
bring=20
disgrace upon His holy name, God gave the warning, </B><I>"Thou =
shalt not=20
take the name of the Lord your God in vain". =
</B></I>Unfortunately, Israel=20
did not heed the warning given.
<P>After demonstrating great patience and mercy on His unfaithful =
spouse,=20
God finally announced that He would no longer recognize that first =
covenant. In other words, He divorced Israel. Jesus told the =
leaders of=20
Israel, <B><I>"the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and =
given to a=20
nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Mt.21:43).</B></I> The =
prophets=20
often likened Israel to a vineyard which produced bitter fruit =
instead of=20
sweet grapes. Isaiah (5:7) says,<B><I> "The vineyard of the Lord =
of hosts=20
is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. =
And he=20
looked for [justice], but behold oppression, for righteousness, =
but behold=20
a cry [from the oppressed poor]." "I planted thee a noble vine, =
wholly a=20
right seed, "</B></I> lamented the Lord through Jeremiah,<B><I> =
"how then=20
art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto =
me?"=20
(Jer.2:21)</B></I>. Israel became <B><I>"an empty vine"=20
(Hos.10:1)</B></I>. Israel took the name of Jehovah upon herself, =
but then=20
was unfaithful to His commandments and walked not in His ways. =
Unfruitful=20
in righteousness, she took His name for nothing, in vain.=20
<P><B><I>"Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt. Thou hast cast =
out the=20
heathen, and planted it"</B></I>
<P>Faithfulness, and, so, fruitfulness is required of all who are =
in=20
covenant with God (cp.Rom.7:4). Israel was given the Law to guide =
her into=20
the lifestyle that would result in fruitfulness, and Israel's only =
hope of=20
being fruitful was to obey it, but she did not. The church has =
been given=20
the Spirit to guide her, and the church's only hope of bearing =
fruit=20
acceptable with God is to obey the Spirit, and she has not. =
Without the=20
anointing of the Spirit there can be no acceptable worship, no =
right=20
doctrine, no profitable labor, and no holy relationships, and it =
is tragic=20
beyond words that the Holy Ghost baptism is considered by many in =
the=20
church to be an optional experience. If Israel erred, and was =
condemned,=20
for not heeding the Law, then can the church be less guilty if we =
ignore,=20
or relegate to a secondary position, the greater Guide? Paul =
underscores=20
this by saying, <B><I>"For as many as are led by the Spirit, they =
are the=20
sons of God" (Rom.8:14).</B></I>
<P>Those who are led of the Spirit do not live in sin (Gal.6:16), =
because=20
there is no sin in Him (1Jn.1:5). Spirit-led believers bear holy =
fruits of=20
the Spirit, which are these: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, =
gentleness,=20
goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. To these we might add =
Peter's=20
list in 2Pet.1:5-7, with his comment that,<B><I> "if these be in =
you, and=20
abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor =
unfruitful in=20
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."</B></I> We can bear God's =
name=20
honorably only as we walk in the new life of the Spirit of God. A =
believer=20
who is not obedient to the Spirit has received that Spirit for =
nothing,=20
and is bearing God's name disgracefully, fruitlessly - in vain. =
May God,=20
in His great mercy, help us all to take full advantage of the =
precious=20
opportunity to live and worship in the Spirit and in the truth, =
for=20
therein lies our only hope of bearing God's name in a manner which =
will=20
produce the fruit He requires of His people.
<P>The world's attitude toward God is often shaped by the =
lifestyles of=20
those who bear His name. How many immoral and idolatrous lives =
were=20
changed by the good influence of the Apostles' lives! The apostles =
understood the importance of holy living. They knew that =
unbelievers are=20
influenced by the conduct of those who are called by the name of =
the Lord,=20
either to reverence or disdain him. They were adamant that the =
church live=20
so <B><I>"that the name of our God and his doctrine be not =
blasphemed"=20
(1Tim.6:1). </B></I>Jesus demonstrated this same concern when he =
said,=20
<B><I>"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your =
good=20
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" =
(Mt.5:16).</B></I>
<P>Our lives are the only Bible which some will ever read. Are men =
reading=20
good things about your heavenly Father in your life, my brother? =
my=20
sister? What kind of God would those around you say that God is, =
based=20
upon your lifestyle and conversation? Would they think He is slow =
to=20
anger? Could they believe that He is merciful? holy? a =
compassionate God,=20
not wanting any to perish?
<P>Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that, because of the manner =
of some=20
believers, the unconverted hold a low opinion of the Lord. =
Speaking of the=20
Lord's Old Testament people who were evil, Paul wrote, <B><I>"the =
name of=20
God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you" (Rom.2:24; =
Isa.52:5).=20
</B></I>What a sad commentary on their lives! Yet, even those well =
known=20
for their devotion to God have, by stumbling into a transgression, =
sometimes brought shame upon the holy name they bore. Sternly =
rebuking=20
King David, who was crushed with remorse for his sin with =
Bathsheba, the=20
prophet Nathan said, "by this deed thou hast given great occasion =
to the=20
enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (2Sam.12:14). Nathan was not =
concerned=20
that the Lord's enemies would blaspheme David for his sin. What =
disturbed=20
him was, he knew that sinful souls would use David's sin to defame =
the God=20
David served. Oh, how it must have grieved David to think of the =
disgrace=20
he had brought upon the One who had lifted him from the lowly =
status of=20
shepherd-boy to be King of Israel! David's heartfelt confession of =
sin=20
included an acknowledgement that his sin had actually been against =
God=20
Himself (Ps.51:4), for it was God's holy name which was brought =
into=20
disgrace by David's evil deed.=20
<P>It is not surprising that one of Paul's requirements for one =
who would=20
occupy the office of a bishop was that<B><I> "he must have good =
report of=20
them which are outside [the faith]" (1Tim.3:7).</B></I> Paul knew =
that=20
living honestly toward those outside the faith lends more credence =
to=20
one's verbal witness. How can one expect to win someone to Christ =
if he=20
owes that person a debt and will not pay it? or if that person =
beholds in=20
the believer any unrighteous conduct? It is imperative, for the =
sake of=20
Christ Jesus and for the souls of men, that we<B><I> "give none =
occasion=20
to the adversary to speak reproachfully" (1Tim.5:14). </B></I>If =
anyone=20
refuses to serve the Lord Jesus, it is important that the reason =
they=20
refuse to serve him not be that one of Jesus' followers has =
mistreated=20
him! In every circumstance, our highest priority should always be =
to bring=20
glory to God.
<P>Dear friend, soon this little life will be ended. Soon those =
who love=20
us will be gathered around our graves. What will your life have =
told them=20
about Christ Jesus? Oh, let us make the most of these fleeting =
hours and=20
strive to "adorn the gospel of God our Savior in all things", so =
that we=20
leave no shadow cast upon the name of Jesus. What greater epitaph =
can we=20
have figuratively engraved upon the hearts of those who knew us =
than for=20
them to know, in their hearts, that we lived <B><I>"soberly, =
righteously,=20
and godly, in this present world"</B></I>? What greater gift could =
we=20
give?=20
<P>How strongly I feel the compassion of Christ in the injunction =
Paul=20
gave,<B><I> "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart =
from=20
iniquity" (2Tim.2:19).</B></I> My friend in Christ, let us be=20
<B><I>"followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as =
Christ=20
also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and =
a=20
sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and =
all=20
uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, =
as=20
becometh saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor =
jesting,=20
which is not convenient, but rather giving of thanks."</B></I>
<P>If you are among those who have strayed from the right path, =
consider=20
again what others are thinking about your dear Lord because of =
you. I once=20
wandered away from the Lord, and I remember that when I had =
rejoined=20
sinful company, my unbelieving friends would sometimes make light =
of faith=20
in God, and in doing so would confidently look at me, as if I =
should most=20
of all agree with their scornful words. To them, I was living =
proof that=20
trusting and serving God was worthless, for I had "tried it" and =
then=20
returned to the ways of the world. They didn't blame me for my=20
unfaithfulness to God. They assumed that God was an unreal figment =
of=20
man's imagination. That always made me uncomfortable, for nothing =
could=20
have been farther from the truth, and I knew it.=20
<P>Thinking now of the harm I did to the name of Jesus, and to my =
friends,=20
who needed desperately for someone to be a light for their lives, =
I am=20
filled with all the more awe and gratitude that the Lord called me =
to=20
himself again. Needless to say, I am resolved that, by the grace =
of God,=20
my life shall never again be other than a testimony to His mercy, =
His=20
holiness, His wisdom, and His power. God forbid that any of us =
should ever=20
again give cause for another to reproach the name of Jesus. Let us =
love=20
both God and sinners that much.
<P>What more compelling reason could we have for living a holy =
life than=20
to bring honor to the holy name we bear? Genuine thankfulness for =
being=20
forgiven is demonstrated by consecrated living. Nothing declares =
the=20
goodness of God to the world any more clearly or forcefully than =
does an=20
honest, holy life. Let us all determine not to take the name of =
our Lord=20
in vain. On the contrary, by the simplicity and sincerity of =
godliness let=20
us <B><I>"show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of =
darkness into his marvelous light" (1Pet. 2:9).</B></I> It is for =
that=20
purpose that He sent us His Spirit. And it is only in =
accomplishing that=20
purpose that we do not bear His holy name in vain.=20
<P><! -- ************ BOTTOM HEADER *********** -->
<P><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D2><I><A=20
href=3D"mailto:GSAVELLI@aol.com">Questions? Log onto the Internet, =
Click=20
Here,<BR>and you can E-mail them to: =
GSAVELLI@aol.com</A></I></FONT>=20
</P></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<P>
<HR>
<P> </P>
<P>
<CENTER>
<H3><I><A=20
href=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/#top">Back=20
to Top</A></I></H3></CENTER>
<P></FONT></P>
<P>
<P><BR>---<BR>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.<BR>Checked by AVG=20
anti-virus system (<A=20
href=3D"http://www.grisoft.com">http://www.grisoft.com</A>).<BR>Version: =
6.0.542 /=20
Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 11/18/2003</P></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_001_0242_01C3B0F5.58C22360--
------=_NextPart_000_0241_01C3B0F5.58C22360
Content-Type: image/gif;
name="Blank Bkgrd.gif"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <023c01c3b11f$40e8b180$5b8b960c@oemcomputer>
R0lGODlhLQAtAID/AP////f39ywAAAAALQAtAEACcAxup8vtvxKQsFon6d02898pGkgiYoCm6sq2
7iqWcmzOsmeXeA7uPJd5CYdD2g9oPF58ygqz+XhCG9JpJGmlYrPXGlfr/Yo/VW45e7amp2tou/lW
xo/zX513z+Vt+1n/tiX2pxP4NUhy2FM4xtjIUQAAOw==
------=_NextPart_000_0241_01C3B0F5.58C22360--
.
|
