What is in a Name?

God's third Commandment. 

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. 

The name of the LORD is TRULY everything to a man who does love his God. 
The name of God is His promise, His honor, His holiness and His peace. Everything God is and does, is fulfilled in His name.

God gives us numerous examples of how man does take His name in vain. To use His name as profanity is disrespectful and blasphemy will not be tolerated by God. Those who tell lies or even misguide  others in the name of God shall be held accountable. 

Leviticus
24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death. 

We are expected and should desire, as children of our LORD, to hold the utmost respect for the name of our Father and to know the power of the great I AM. 

We are to pray in His name, we receive in His name and we sing praises in His name! 

John
14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

Psalm
69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 

In His glorious name are all good things done in those who believe. Those who vainly use the name of God or do deeds that are self serving in His name will certainly be as the shadow.

Ecclesiastes
6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? 

God's promise to those who follow is given on His very name. The Name that shall be forever more. 

1 Samuel
12:21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 

As His children, His creation, who loves Him with every breath, we shall have Him first in our lives. Our thoughts, our words and our actions belong to Him. 
In His image are we created, in His love are we given life, in His power are we healed, in His mercy are we forgiven and in His NAME are we saved.

Vanity is emptiness. It is Satan's favorite sin. Those who choose to live in emptiness, for emptiness and by emptiness of self will surely reside in that hollow and dark place forever. 
Love our Father with your entire walk, honor His name and follow His commandments. He does then promise your soul will forever belong in Him.

John
17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be as one, as we are. 

17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

God bless xo