command Two | God's name

command one just body slammed us, which is the purpose of law

a mirror to see yourself

the longer and harder we look, the less impressed with us, we will become

the law is not steps towards Christlikeness,

the law is a wall you crash into, that leads you to look to another who can help

our beating continues with c2

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

I spent many youthful years thinking this was about tongue control only

“gosh” instead of “God” and not saying “Jesus Christ” when mad

This one felt kinda doable, most of the time

Martin Luther wrote about this commandment

For us to not break this commandment and to keep it means:

We must praise God for all His benefits, every single one, all the time

Said thanks for any of the oxygen you just sucked into your lungs?

lungs that work

that AC that has you comfortable right now?

that breeze on the back nine?

that last heartbeat, grateful for it?

We must guard ourselves from worldly praise

God must get credit for every single thing in my life, all the time

I cannot live with my instinctive need to grasp recognition and

clammar for credit

Zero glory hog from me or in me, ever

We must call on God’s name first and only in distress

When others distress us and when we distress ourselves, God must be the first and only place we go for help, always and forever

We must protect the holy name of God against all misuses

We are all 0-2.

This law is not given for us to try and improve

We must nail each perfectly and always have and always will

Now you agree with me, we are 0-2 and both blowout losses (No Grizz jokes, too soon)

“God never does business with anyone. He does not haggle. He does not transact. Salvation is a gift given, not a bargain struck. The Father does not trade forgiveness for good behavior. He kisses the prodigal son before the son gets his confession out of his mouth.” Robert Capin

I wish I could say “I am the best possible Christian, Family Man, and Friend”

I can say, Jesus was and is

I wish I could say, “I am all-day satisfied in just God, and God alone”

I can say, Jesus perfectly satisfied the Father for me

I wish I could say, “great is my faithfulness to God 24/7/365”

I can say Jesus was perfectly faithful to His Father, always,

and offers His report card to us

I wish I could say, “I have kept all my promises to God and others”

I can say, Jesus has kept, is keeping, and will keep all His promises to us 24/7/365 forevermore

The gospel is not “I will pledge to get better, improve, and die courageously for Jesus”

The gospel is this good news, Jesus died courageously for you and me.

Grindforth!…grateful for Jesus’ law keeping on your behalf