Franchise owners ensure that outlets maintain standards. The Lord is even more concerned with the use of his name.
“Listen to me, O family of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and born into the family of Judah. Listen, you who … call on the God of Israel.
Isaiah 48v1
It is very easy for us to apply labels, but is the inside of the tin as described on the outside?
You don’t keep your promises, even though you call yourself the holy city and talk about depending on the God of Israel …
Isaiah 48v2
We are identifying with Jesus, the truth. When teaching his disciples to pray to the Father, he said, ‘Hallowed be your name’. How does our speech reflect our hallowed Father?
Thankfully that same prayer says, “Forgive us our sins.” Mercifully he knows when we fall short and is ready to forgive. He is also ready to intervene when we slip. I once made a flippant statement to which a colleague took offence – “… and you call yourself a Christian!” He tried to prove me corrupt, but the Lord justified me to that colleague. I was so grateful.
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Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash