Hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9b
Such a short passage; four simple words. Upon first reading the above scripture, you might think it is an extension of the 4th commandment, "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" as stated in Exodus 20:7. We've all heard someone randomly throw God's name around in conversation, aggravation, or disdain. And yes, this is a gross misuse of the holy name of our God. But there is more to keeping God's name hallowed than just its verbal usage.
"Hallowed" is defined as holy, sacred, or blessed. Jesus instructed the disciples to pray beginning with "Hallowed be Your name." He is commanding us to keep God's name holy; to ensure that the name of God is held in reverent awe and majesty. God's name is his identity. It is to be held in esteem by those who profess him as God. Therefore; our lifestyle is to be a direct reflection of the holiness of His name. Our actions (participation, association, or omission) reflect our degree of respect and love for the sacredness of God's name.
When we pray "in Jesus name" our actions need to reflect the character of Jesus. That means Jesus would be pleased and join us in the activity. We fail to protect the name of God when our actions are unforgiving, without grace, or sinful. It should be, as Jesus commanded, that our daily prayer is to live in such a way that our Father's name will be hallowed; made holy and blessed.
Lord, forgive us for the times we have brought down your name. Let our hearts be quick to hear your voice when we wander and begin to bring harm to your holy name. Tender us to notice the little things we do that offend your name and in turn keep others from seeking your grace and forgiveness. In this journey of faith, continue growing us in the understanding of the sacredness of your precious name. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment
We would love to hear from you!