3rd Commandment

Third Commandment	Creation Date: 6-Dec-2018
We are Ambassadors for Jesus Christ	Last updated: 5-May-2023
A A A help

Sections

1	Misunderstood	2	Rabbinical Tradition
3	The World is Watching Us

We are called to be representatives of Jesus Christ which is Ambassadorship.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Misunderstood

It seems that the Third Commandment in Exodus 20:7 is not entirely understood by most Christians.

Exodus 20:7

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.

These two points are both true in this author's opinion, but the second point is actually the correct interpretation of the Third Commandment of the Ten Commandments, which is required of us.

The common interpretation is to not use profanity and God's Name in a term of inflicting damnation. Most of us would agree that profanity is a form of ignorance. Additionally, using God's name in profanity is suggesting that God should damn someone or something is wrong. Clearly, we are never to put ourselves in the place of God by assuming authority over someone else in damnation and judging.

An paramount example is the Archangel Michael did not curse or make condescending comments against Lucifer (the "devil" Satan) in Jude 1:9 when Lucifer wanted to desecrate Moses' body after Moses had died.

Jude 1:8-10

8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. 9 But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.

The correct meaning is referring to how we conduct ourselves in public life because we took on Jesus Christ's name when we asked Him to be our Savior. Another way of understanding the commandment is when you become a Believer, you are now an ambassador of God so you must conduct yourself accordingly, reflect the change and do not deny the works by Him in your life.

2nd Corinthians
5:16 - 21

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Rabbinical Tradition

There is some rabbinical traditions that are very rigid. One of them is insisting on using God's name correctly in all areas of the scriptures, prayers and when speaking His name. This belief leads to the third commandment's interpretation as how to correctly use God's name, which many Biblical Scholars think that was never the point even the Old Testament time period.

Furthermore, for the Christian and even for anyone of Jewish beliefs or background, we are no longer the Mosaic Law. Jesus Christ gave us a new Law that is superior to the last one and Jesus Christ told us simply to call God the Father, "Father" in Matthew 6:9. Additional points:

Rhetorically, with all of the beautiful names of God, it is always okay to honor God with any of the names that He has given us in the scriptures.
There are problems with most translations, as in place of one of the original Hebrew name for God, the phrase "The Lord" is been substituted. Using "The Lord" is absolutely okay when we have reverence and love for our God.
There are a few Old Testament appearances of Jesus Christ that are known as Theophanies. As just stated in the previous point, using the phrase "The Lord" is still honoring God, and God is the final Judge of our hearts and intentions.

Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

The World is Watching Us

Besides our actions as being an ambassadors of Jesus Christ, there is often an overlooked importance to "Keeping Physically Fit and Attractive at Every Age" because the world judges Christians on all facets of our lives.

We may not like it if we are judged by our appearances, while being an ambassador for Jesus Christ, but this is unfortunately part of the deceptions by Satanic Forces to deceive people into thinking God has not changed someone based on the outer appearance. This author is not judging but reminding himself and others to reflect the Ambassadorship of our God.

What to read next?

What is Salvation? Is it is possible to lose Salvation? We have eternal life. Evolution is not real. When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it. Rewards in heaven. Do we Tithe? What is Grace and Mercy? Is there an Age of Accountability? Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?