NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Philippines 2: 1-18

The Reformer's Fire
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Exposition by Max A Forsythe

Question 54:
What is required in the third commandment?

Answer 54:
The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and work.

The ancient Egyptians were marvels at their pontifical displays of power and prestige. Yet, even into the modern era, kings, princes and monarchs took great pride in stamping their likeness, name or initial on anything and everything. Whether it be the countless buttons on their soldiers uniforms, the battle flags of their battalions or even the shops and stores where the monarch spent the royal currency engraved with their image, the tendency has been consistently followed. Even now, the United States Treasury is beginning a two and a half year process to decide how to display lady liberty or another more politically correct persona on the new dollar coins being planned.

At least for the time being a greater King and Lord than the "goddess liberty" is still briefly mentioned on our commonly used paper currency. Even though the God of heaven is no longer welcome in public places, at least the military and the legislature still have their chaplains to remind them that He does indeed still exist. However, we must understand that the mere formality of words do not necessarily honor the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Well have we learned in this century that far too many spiritual and political leaders would use words within the context of their own understanding. For this very reason we have actualized in our own time the on going, continual and increasing drift of the ship of state from its foundational anchor once established by more honest and honorable men.

In the seventies I learned to be wary and cautious in dealing with people who used the words of the Spirit but had no use for their clear meaning. I well remember the liberal denominational executive who had nothing but contempt for the minions who would not give him the absolute control that he demanded over their church property and ministry. It was partially his glaring arrogance that liberated me from the liberal attitude and methodology. In one Seminary class I particularly infuriated an outspoken liberal because I disbelieved his thinking that I should disbelieve everything I had ever been taught. He could not handle having his lessons applied to his own thought! And neither can the politically correct in our present decade either. This was a hard lesson for me to learn, and the Church of Jesus Christ, if it is to continue, must learn this lesson well.

Not everyone who says Lord, Lord - is a follower of Him whose Name they publicly proclaim but privately abhor! I know that what I have to say next will not be acceptable to everyone, but I'll say it anyway. Anyone who does not believe in the inspiration of God's Holy Word or the plain and essential doctrines derived therefrom has absolutely no business saying, writing or singing publicly about the God of heaven. And we who belong to Christ should not support unbelievers who use God's Name, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works in vain. And by the phrase "in vain" I mean precisely those who in Thomas Watson's words are such "heretics who put their own gloss upon Scripture, and make it speak that which the Holy Ghost never meant."

This undertaking may be noted in two forms. First where commentators take a figurative text and make it literal. An example would be when the Pharisees took the word of the law on parchment and bound it on their arms and above their eyelids instead of meditating on it and putting that Word into practice. Second, where the text is meant literally and instead it is made figurative. The common practice of "christian" Sodomites is that nothing more than faithfulness is insisted upon in their unholy relationships. And frightfully whole denominations are falling for such atrocious apostacy!

In fact I do believe that in line with the liberal developments in this century, that it is more likely for honest Bible believers to be avowed as heretics and run out of what was once Christ's Church by all of those who now "know better what the scriptures really mean"! I am actually beginning to believe that the growth of this congregation will increase in the next few years as sincere believers ask sincere questions that their unholy leaders would run them out for even thinking about outloud. The darkness cannot stand the light because the darkness must be overcome by the power and presence of God's Spirit in His revealed Word. That is the light that shines into the darkness of our souls and transforms us into light bearers who are willing and able to take the faith once given to the saints and share it to the ends of the earth.

Is this not our common experience which is described by Paul in our passage from Philippians today? If we would sincerely honor the third commandment in a positive manner, this is the very work of heaven within our souls. The passage before us in Philippians is one of the greatest revelations of the Spirit to the Apostle Paul.

"If you have any encouragement ... if any comfort ...if any fellowship, ... if any tenderness and compassion ... do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit."
The principle set forth by the commandment and our catechism is nothing more than this: we as individuals are to be molded, formed and framed by the very Word of God in imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This principle does not allow mere humans to mold, formulate or frame the biblical revelation according to any human agenda or manifesto. Some may immediately object to our confessional stance in regards to biblical faith, doctrine and works. To any such objection I would proclaim the secondary nature of our confessional standards which derive their very purpose, being and complexion from the higher authority of God's revealed word.

And yes, I may be considered a little extreme in my admonishments to revere God's word and to order our lives by His commandments, regulations and ordinances. But I have no doubt that if believers sincerely bring their lives into some minimal conformity with the teachings of Scripture, then God will indeed put a hedge around them and bless them and their children within His providence. Your best interests in this regard may be different from mine since are all created differently and all have been variously shaped by education, family and culture. You may not have temptations and tests that I must endure and I may not have experienced what you have gone through.

But we are all challenged by God's Word to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ as best as we are enabled and to love each other in Christian charity in the spirit of Paul's greater passage on charitable love in the thirteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians.

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Dare we like the worldly church ignore the admonishments of Scripture? No indeed we are to go on once converted and make every thought, word and deed captive to the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that my friends is a life long task which will challenge our very being and lead us from the world into an ongoing relationship with God's only Son, our Lord Jesus. Look at verses fourteen to sixteen to see the challenge. It is hard to believe that Paul didn't write these words this very week. By the providence of the Spirit these words are food for our souls even today.

Someone recently asked if I wasn't getting tired of the ministry here at Christ Covenant. I have to admit to a little physical exhaustion now and again. But like Paul's observation at the end of our passage for today, I am enriched, encouraged and strengthened from the sacrifice and service of your faith. May the Lord use our work and witness together to build up His Church here and on around the world.

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