p. 5 | THE DECALOGUE by J. W. Watt

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 24, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 47.

THE DECALOGUE.

By J. W. Watt

The Third Commandment.

“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.” Ex. 20 : 7.

We have learned in the study of the first commandment that it demands of us entire consecration to God, perfect obedience rendered in the spirit of love. The second commandment was given as a warning against taking the first step away from God, and tells us what the result will be if we go away from Him; also that our duty to care for our bodies is clearly brought to view, that we may be strong physically, and able to render to God acceptable service.

As we now come to consider what is taught in the third commandment, we must remember that God is unfolding to us in His law the great principles of His government; that each commandment given is another step in the development of God’s idea of government; and that all these divine precepts bear an intimate relation one to another. They can not be considered as laws distinct and separate one from another, but are one great whole; therefore obedience to the first prepares the way for obedience to the second, and the second for the third, etc.

There is something about the name of God that He Himself regards as of very great importance, or He would not have given a commandment with reference to the use of it. God’s name should always be used with care and reverence. “Holy and reverend is His name.” Ps. 111 : 9.

The Oath.

The third commandment does not condemn the judicial oath, but it does condemn the vulgar oath we so often hear on the street. This is not all that it condemns. Jesus, in speaking of this commandment in Matt. 5 : 33–37, says, “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” All bywords and slang phrases are thus forbidden by this commandment, according to the Saviour’s teaching. But how often we hear professed Christians using bywords and slang! What a vague idea of the language of heaven many seem to have, while professing before the world to be getting ready to go to heaven, there to mingle and converse with heavenly beings, who have never sinned! Should we expect, if we could enter heaven to-day, to hear Gabriel using slang when speaking to one of the bright and holy seraphims near the throne of God?—No, never; we expect no such thing. Then should we not now cultivate the habit of using a pure language? Shall we ever enter heaven unless we do?

A Child Bears the Name of Its Father.

In order fully to understand this commandment, we must understand our relation to God as children. When one repents of sin and turns to God, he is accepted, and through Christ is adopted into the heavenly family, thus becoming a child of God. For “as many as received Him, to them gave He power [margin, “the right or privilege”] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1 : 12. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” 1 John 3 : 2. Sons of God now, not going to be in the future, but now. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” Rom. 8 : 15–17.

If saved at all, we shall enter heaven as children of God, not as strangers and foreigners, but as a part of the family of our Father in heaven. And every child of God will bear the name of God, just as the child in this world bears the name of its father. When we embrace Christ as our personal Saviour, by God’s own appointment we take upon ourselves His name. The following scriptures show clearly that every child of God bears the name of God:—

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” Eph. 3 : 14, 15. “Do not they blaspheme that worthy Name by the which ye are called?” James 2 : 7. “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord.” Acts 15 : 17. “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by My name.” Isa. 43 : 6, 7. “Yet Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by Thy name [margin, “Thy name is called upon us”].” Jer. 14 : 9. “I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jer. 15 : 16.

J. W. WATT.