Posted on 03/01/2005 11:42:51 AM PST by Ken Nielsen
God's grace....
Rush Limbaugh's, "Talent on loan from..." is another example.
Thank you for pinging me to that very interesting article!
Blessings
I always took that saying by Rush to mean that he acknowledges that all of our talents are a gift from God and belong to God. I wouldn't consider that using the Lord's name in vain.
Interesting topic...I feel I have a deep relationship with Jesus yet still have trouble with saying "God" when exasperated or annoyed. I also still cuss more than I should, like if someone cuts me off in traffic and I think I'm going to be in an accident.
I'm not sure it's in vain.
"In vain" means "to no purpose."
"Oh my God" is an exclamation of surprise that is actually an appreviated form of "Oh my God....steady/help/guide/protect/etc me"
This scripture is simple to me. Instead of worrying whether "how" we're using the Lord's name and whether in it's use it's offensive, we should worry about the example we are setting for others around us. How can we be considered a faithful follower of Christ when we allow ourselves to lose control of our tongue or any other fleshly desire we may have? Self control. We are to be like Christ as much as possible. We are to spend our lives striving to be like Him - our perfect example of what God desires of us. Yes, we are forgiven if we repent but this doesn't mean we have a license to sin. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him..." Colossians 3:2-10 (NKJV)
Repent means to "change".
REPENTANCE (Nelson's Bible Dictionary):
A turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God (Matthew 9:13; Luke 5:32). In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind (Genesis 6:6-7) or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct (Matthew 27:3). True repentance is a "godly sorrow" for sin, an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person's relationship to God.
In the Old Testament the classic case of repentance is that of King David, after Nathan the prophet accused him of killing Uriah the Hittite and committing adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. David's prayer of repentance for this sin is found in Psalms 51.
In the New Testament the keynote of John the Baptist's preaching was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). To the multitudes he declared, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8). When Jesus began His ministry, He took up John's preaching of the message of repentance, expanding the message to include the good news of salvation: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel" (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15).
In Jesus' preaching of the kingdom of God is seen the truth that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin: by repentance, one turns away from sin; by faith, one turns toward God in accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a twofold turning, or conversion, is necessary for entrance into the kingdom (Matthew 18:3). "Unless you repent," said Jesus, "you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5). This is the negative, or judgmental, side of Jesus' message. The positive, or merciful, side is seen in these words: "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
After Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, His disciples continued His message of repentance and faith (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21; 26:20). Repentance is a turning from wickedness and dead works (Acts 8:22; Hebrews 6:1) toward God and His glory (Acts 20:21; Revelation 16:9), eternal life (Acts 11:18), and a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
Repentance is associated with prayer (1 Kings 8:47), belief (Mark 1:15), baptism (Acts 2:38), and conversion (Acts 3:19) and is accompanied by humility (Matthew 11:21). Repentance is God's will and pleasure (Luke 15:7-10; 2 Peter 3:9), as well as His command (Mark 6:12; Acts 17:30). It is a gift of His sovereign love (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25), without which we cannot be saved (Luke 13:3).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Your working in the truck driving industry is one example, and congratulations on being at peace and taking the opportunities to witness as is fitting for the time. It's a real blessing to hear about your faithfulness there.
I am bringing this subject up here because this is a 'religious' forum where it should be more fitting to bring up matters like this, where it would be scoffed at in a more public setting.
I want to be more like Jesus, I even want to be like David when he says in the psalms, Thy praise shall continually be upon my lips. I have just noticed, as I walk to be closer to the Lord, that the general behavior of the world and the worldly, is a far cry from God, and no wonder how He could be grieved at the ignorance He receives day after day as the world trods on to its own purposes, ignoring the one who Loves us and seeks our love for Him.
He simply wants to share His wealth with us, yet so many scoff at Him and turn their backs, choosing this world's liberties instead.
I don't believe that most who say "Oh my G_d" are really thinking about their heart attitude toward God, really. I think they are just making another off-the-cuff remark that is more akin to swearing if anything else.
Watching our speech seems like such a small thing to do, such an enjoyable way to worship Him more and to be even closer to Him.
"This subject be brought up
I'm thinking you should be more concerned about your use of Ebonics."
I was speaking in the King James Authorized sense.
: )
I do not expect the lost to act like Christians in either action or speech. But it does bother me to hear believers use the Lord's name in the same way the unchurched do. It especially bothers me to hear a believer exclaim, "JESUS CHRIST" in the same tone of voice and manner an unbeliever would curse. It is a matter of respect, reverence, and self-control. Once this subject had been brought to my attention, I immediately ceased letting my language lower the Lord to a common epithet.
Just ask yourself, what does the average American immediately think about when he or she hears the words God, religion, or Christianity? Do noble images come to mind immediately?
In general I agree with you. The context and intent would be the final arbiter.
Most of the time those who say, "G_d this" or "G-d" that are simply using an epithet.
I can imagine a situation where in a prophetic sense one under in the Spirit could pray for God ACTUALLY to damn something.....abortion mills, for example.
"I can imagine a situation where in a prophetic sense one under in the Spirit could pray for God ACTUALLY to damn something.....abortion mills, for example."
That's most interesting. I am thinking that 'things' like abortion or whatever, will damn themselves, simply by going against God and His will. God does not have to further intervene.
Don't be fooled. Rush is aggrandizing himself in God's name. He ought to knock it off. I've written him about it... obviously to no avail.
Interesting topic...I feel I have a deep relationship with Jesus yet still have trouble with saying "God" when exasperated or annoyed.
Good. You should.
I also still cuss more than I should, like if someone cuts me off in traffic and I think I'm going to be in an accident.
I still cringe when I recall what came out of my mouth when rear-ended with the whole family aboard. As bad as it was, God's name was not mentioned except in gratitude that it wasn't worse.
God's name is sacred. If you say "God", then according to the Ten Commandments, you better mean "God", not... "I'm just so surprised that my mind is melting and I just don't know what I'm saying! Oprah help me!"
Ping!
God is not God's name. But that's a different subject.
I have no problem with saying that one must be serious when one calls upon God. I just don't think that some uses that others consider vain or profane are necessarily so.
Unless you're talking to or talking about God, what valid reason would one say it?
Do as you wish. I'm not taking any chances with what He means by "vain".
vain is like vanity, which is like exalting yourself, which is like an addition to the first commandment and the second.
We should be a humble people; glad and gloriously happy in Him, giving thanks for the unspeakable gift of His only Son that we might have new life, redeemed from a horrible death.
I also vote for taking not chances, it's not wise nor prudent.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Good find.
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