IS YOUR GOD A SWEAR WORD?
(Online edition of a gospel tract)
Do you only mention His name when
something goes wrong and you must give verbal expression to your anger?
Or even when you are startled or pleasantly surprised? If so…you
should read this leaflet through to the end. Don't worry! It's not all
bad news…but there are a couple of things you should about
before you open your mouth again!
1) TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN BREAKS 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. (Exodus 20:7)
Vain use of the Lord's name is put unto the same list as murder and
adultery. James reminds us that to offend in one point "is to be guilty
of all" (James 2:10) God guards His holy name with a righteous jealousy
and to use it lightly in a swear word or whatever is to invoke His
anger. It might not rank high in the list of crimes in this day and
age…but God is not bound by the ever decreasing standards of
men. We are assured that the "Judge of all the earth will do right"
(Genesis 18:25)
2) WE MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF EVERY IDLE WORD THAT WE SPEAK:
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36) Not
even those carefully considered before hand. But those idle words which
we can hardly remember speaking. Like those little swear words which
take God's name in vain. How solemn is the warning! There are no
exceptions, for "every one of us shall give account of himself to God"
(Romans 14:12) This is staggering, is it not? Perhaps the Lord's name
has flowed freely from our lips over many years and hardly once is a
manner that is fitting and beyond blame.
3) THE LORD'S NAME IS TO BE PRAISED - NOT ABUSED:
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)
This is for two distinct reasons [1] Who He is: The Creator and
Sustainer of all men (seen in the fact that in the most serious of
illnesses, men who otherwise blaspheme His name will seek Him to spare
life) [2] What He has done: He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on
the Cross to save you from the penalty of your violation of His law. By
calling upon the name of the Lord in simple faith (Romans 10:13) you
can experience power over sin. God will give you a new heart (Ezekiel
36:26) and as a consequence, a brand new tongue as well! Go and tell
them how great things the Lord hath done for thee (Mark 5:19)
THE WAY OF SALVATION OF SALVATION
1) YOU NEED TO CONFESS THAT YOU ARE A SINNER BEFORE GOD:
Jesus said: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)
2) YOU NEED TO RECOGNISE THAT YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5)
3) YOU NEED TO RECOGNISE THAT ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE YOU:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
4) YOU NEED TO REPENT AND BELIEVE AND SO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S WORK ON THE CROSS FOR YOURSELF:
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5)
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)
5) THE EVIDENCE OF THESE STEPS WILL BE SEEN IN A CHANGED AND HOLY LIFE SPENT WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS IN SERVING GOD:
And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland