If we were well advised we would not need to be taught to act reverently toward, God, for nature ought to bring us to that end. For [after all] what reason are we created in this world? Why do we live here if it isn't for the purpose of paying homeage to him from whom we received every good and to apply ourselves to glorify His majesty? That is the end and whole sum of this life. nevertheless, instead of honouring our God and applying ourselves to that end, it appears that we have conspired the very opposite. For some would like to see all memory of God blotted out; others despise and make light of Him; still others blatantly blaspheme Him: all to the extent that we sufficiently show that we do not know why we live and enjoy life
Now because our life is marked by such vice, God wants us to remedy it and show us that at least we must refrain from abusing His holy name, for that is how we profane Him. And that is why He has commanded us that his name shall not be taken in vain. By these words He means that we must carefully recognize the proper and lawful usage of His name. It is true that we are not worthy under any circumstance to take the name of the Lord in our mouth, for we need to consider what the prophet Isaiah said in the six chapter: "Lord, my lips are unclean and I live in the midst of a people who are totally unclean." Seeing then that we possess only infection and filth in ourselves, it is certain that we cannot make use of God's name except for the fact that God still wants us to use His name on condition that we glorify Him. Therefore, let us take careful note when it is said that we may not take the name of God in vain, that our Lord holds us responsible for our ingratitude unless we know how to use His name as he has permitted us and follow the rule which is contained in the Word: Which is the lawful means for being able to use the name of God.[John Calvin]
Labels: John Calvin
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