THE NAME OF JESUS (PART 2)
"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 (KJV)
The Name of the Lord Jesus has been given to the Church for salvation. Acts 4:12 tells us plainly that "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." In other words, among men under heaven, the Name of the Lord Jesus is the passport to salvation, which includes healing, deliverance, safety, rescue, etc. The Name of the Lord Jesus is One that is laden with power and authority, at the mention of which "... every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:10-11 (KJV). In other words, the Name of the Lord Jesus reigns supreme in three worlds: in heaven, on earth and below the earth! Powerful!
Sadly, many take the Name of the Lord in vain! Yet, His Name is our refuge. The Bible records that:
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10 (KJV). His Name having been given to us, we are to call on Him in times of trouble (Ps 50:15,86:7) and He has promised to answer us (Ps 91:15, Jer 29:12).
To call on the Name of the Lord without being in trouble or being in difficult circumstances, or being without the need for salvation is to call Him in vain. The Lord expects that those who call on His Name are people in need of help.
"As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me." - Psalms 55:16 (KJV). This is to mean that whenever you call on the Name of the Lord, He shows up to save you from your predicament. Imagine how disappointing it is for the Lord to show up for you when you call on Him, only to discover that you are not in any way in danger or in need of His help, but that you have called on His name jokingly, out of humor and for fun! Don't you know or understand that at the mention of Jesus' name, you activate and set in motion the entire armies of heaven on your behalf?
Are you one of those that call on the Name Jesus in vain, when you are not in any danger or when you are not in need of any salvation whatsoever? Today, in all, the facets of the social media, we do hear comedians calling "J e s u s" in a bid to add some sense of humor to their comedy! Honestly, I've spoken against this trend many a time and I just can't stand it! It grieves me as I hear them call on the name of my Lord in vain.
I'm privileged to witness at varying times in my ministry the effectiveness of the Lord's name in our healing and deliverance programs in Kaduna, Nigeria; how demons, unclean spirits and devil's are utterly discomfited at the mention of that Holy and Powerful Name; with the result that souls are permanently set free! Hallelujah!
I give you to understand that only the wicked and God's enemies will call on the Lord's Name in vain.
"For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain." - Psalm 139:20 (KJV). Hmmmm! This is a serious matter that also has grave repercussions! The Scriptures say that "... the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." - Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
This calls for repentance and watchfulness. May the LORD have mercy on us, in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for the opportunity to use the Name of the Lord Jesus in my prayers. Henceforth, I hold the Lord's Name with utmost respect. I repent of mentioning the Lord's Name in vain. I receive forgiveness for my past mistakes, in Jesus name.