Called By His Name

2 Chronicles 7:14-16 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. ¹⁶ For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Exodus 20:17 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.

Some have a desire to be called by the name of God for the benefits that can bring.  But taking on that name comes with responsibilities.

In our culture it has become more common place for the wife to keep her name instead of taking on her husband’s name.  She gets the benefits of the marriage relationship and yet shuns the identity of her husband.  How often do we as Christians want the benefits of being a Christian but shun the true identity?  With that identity comes a taking on of the character that name signifies.  The names of God throughout scripture show us the breadth and depth of His character.  His desire is for that character to be manifested in and through a people that take on His name.

One of the Ten Commandments tells us not to take the Lord's name in vain.  We have made that be about using His name as a swear word.  It goes far beyond that.  Taking on God's name in vain has to do with being called one of His, but not manifesting who He is.