Q 66: What is the substance of the third commandment?
A 66: The substance of third commandment is that, God having placed His Name upon them, His people must take care to bear that Name according to God’s purposes and will. (Deut. 10.12-22; Lev. 18.1-5)
The operative words here are “take care” (cf. Eph. 5.15-17). Just because we belong to God by adoption does not mean that we will somehow automatically reflect the new reality of our belonging to Him. Nor does it mean that we may continue our lives as prior to adoption. Rather, God calls us who have received His Name to take it fruitfully, joyfully, and energetically, and to run the race set before us through every obstacle and for all the course. We must be vigilant against the wiles of our former master, the devil, as well as the allure of the world and the frailty of our flesh. And we must take care to grow in the grace and love of the Lord so that we may serve Him fruitfully as those who bear His Name.
If you are not receiving Crosfigell, our thrice-weekly devotional, sign up at our website today. T. M.’s latest book, Satan Bound: A Theology of Evil, is now available in our bookstore.
