Articles
The Name of God Is Blasphemed
Bryan Garlock
The Jews enjoyed “the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience” (Rom. 2.4), “were entrusted with the oracles of God” (Rom. 3.2), and were “Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all” (Rom. 9.4-5).
Sadly, however, Paul wrote, “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” (Rom. 2.17-24).
The Israelites were given so many blessings, yet instead of repenting of their sins and turning to God (Rom. 2.4-5), they continued to live in sin or approved of those who sinned. Paul wrote, “Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Rom. 1.32-2.3).
Unfortunately, their impenitence and practice and approval of sin caused the name of God to be blasphemed among those who were not the people of God (gentiles). Even more unfortunate is that the above text in many ways mirrors the practice of many within the church today, especially those “born and raised ‘in the church’”. The “raised in Judaism” Jews apparently believed that since they were the chosen people of God, He would somehow overlook their faults or at least be more lenient with them.
Let us be honest. No one claims we have a ticket to heaven, but are we living like we do? In other words, we experience the same goodness of God as did the Jews, we are fully blessed and loved by Him, and we even have a better covenant (Heb. 7.22), with better promises (Heb. 8.6), and a better sacrifice. Do we believe that since we are also the chosen people of God (1 Peter 2.9) that God’s kindness toward us will cause Him to turn a blind eye to our unfaithfulness?
For example, how many of us sit on the pew each week believing, like the Jew, that we are spiritual and right in God’s eyes? It is a sad thing to witness a dear brother or sister believe they are faithful to God when in fact they are far from Him. In fact, many believe they are faithful just because they “go to church” three times weekly. This was the Jews’ problem. Many were spiritual on the outside but full of wickedness on the inside. This is exactly what Paul is describing in our text. Simply put, many of the Jews were not practicing what they preached or professed outwardly!
This hypocrisy caused God’s name to be blasphemed. Everyone knows, or ought to know, that we are Christians. When we sin and that sin is public or made public it not only hurts our name, but more importantly the name of Christ. This is exactly Paul’s issue with the Jew who professed godliness and yet lived ungodly lives.
One of the most damaging consequences of continuing to practice sin after becoming a child of God is giving fuel to unbelievers to ridicule and revile God. This is exactly what the prophets and apostles wanted us to avoid. Therefore, anything short of complete obedience is detrimental to the cause of Christ and His gospel.
For example, Paul wrote, “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (1 Timothy 6.1, ESV). Note that servants must respect their masters (or employees their employers). Otherwise the master will laugh at the thought of their servant claiming to follow Christ and yet living as though he does not.
Additionally, Paul taught, “…and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2.4-5, ESV). Older women are to train younger women to obey God in their respective roles so that others will not see them behaving as they ought not to, giving unnecessary mockery of their service to God or, more importantly, to God’s word.
It is no secret that some professed Christians continue to live like the rest of the world. When Christians live in sin, they bring shame upon God’s name. It is our responsibility as a spiritual family to look after each other and encourage one another to be faithful. It is our responsibility as individuals and as a church to be holy as our Father is holy (1 Peter 1.15-16). Anything less than that and His name is blasphemed among unbelievers. How can we possibly bring anyone to Christ if they can clearly see our hypocrisy and moral failings? BG
