Living as God's Representatives: The Call to Integrity

Summary

The Ten Commandments, given at Sinai, are not a relic of the past but a living gift from God—wisdom and instruction for how to walk in covenant with Him. They were never intended as a means to earn salvation, but as a guide for a people already set free, showing them how to live as His treasured possession. God’s law is not bondage; it is a boundary that brings freedom, clarity, and purpose. Just as Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests, representing God to the nations, so too is the church today called to bear His name and reflect His character to the world.

The third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” is often reduced to a prohibition against swearing, but its meaning is far deeper. The Hebrew word for “take” is better understood as “bear” or “carry.” To bear God’s name in vain is to accept the privilege of being called His people, yet live in a way that is empty, deceptive, or without result. It is to claim His name but not His character, to enter covenant but remain unchanged, indistinguishable from the world. God’s standard is not half-hearted allegiance; He calls for wholehearted consecration, for His people to be set apart so that His presence can dwell among them.

Bearing God’s name is a responsibility as well as a gift. Like a child who carries the family name and feels the weight of representing that family, so too do we represent our heavenly Father. People form their understanding of God based on their interactions with us. If we live with integrity, peace, and kindness, we point others to the true source of those qualities. If we live with anger, dishonesty, or compromise, we obscure His character. We may be the only Bible some people ever read, the only Jesus some ever see.

Daniel’s example in Babylon shows what it means to bear God’s name well: living with integrity, faithfulness, and without reproach, even in hostile circumstances. His life drew the attention of kings and nations to the living God. Bearing God’s name is not about striving for perfection or following rules for their own sake, but about a heart transformed by love for God and others. Salvation is a gift, but it is also a call to represent God faithfully, to bear His name with fullness, sincerity, and result. Committing to Christ is just the beginning; living out His will is the ongoing journey.

Key Takeaways

- God’s law is a gift, not a burden. The Ten Commandments were given to a people already set free, not as a means to earn salvation but as wisdom for living in covenant with God. They reveal His character and set boundaries that bring true freedom, guiding us to live as His representatives in the world. [04:00]

- Bearing God’s name is a profound responsibility. To “take the name of the Lord in vain” is not just about speech, but about how we live as those who claim His name. If our lives are empty of His character, or if we live no differently than the world, we bear His name without result, missing the purpose of our calling. [16:23]

- Our lives are a reflection of God to others. Just as a child’s actions reflect on their family, our conduct shapes how others perceive God. We may be the only example of Christ that someone encounters, so our integrity, peace, and kindness can either draw people to God or push them away. [24:04]

- Faithfulness in ordinary life is powerful witness. Daniel’s story shows that bearing God’s name well does not require a special position or perfect circumstances. Living with integrity and faithfulness, even in difficult or secular environments, can reveal God’s power and character to those around us, sometimes in ways we may never anticipate. [29:12]

- The heart of God’s law is love and transformation. It is not about external rule-keeping, but about a heart that loves God and others. Salvation is a free gift, but it comes with the call to represent God well—to bear His name with sincerity, fullness, and result, allowing His Spirit to transform us and draw others to Him. [33:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction and Prayer
[04:00] - The Gift and Relevance of the Law
[05:13] - Israel’s Calling: A Kingdom of Priests
[06:22] - The Law as Freedom and Guidance
[07:53] - God’s Standards and Civil Order
[09:05] - The Church as God’s Chosen People
[10:47] - The Great Commission and Bearing God’s Name
[11:56] - The Third Commandment: Beyond Swearing
[13:45] - Bearing God’s Name: Meaning and Implications
[16:23] - Living Set Apart: The Call to Consecration
[19:35] - Adoption, Family Name, and Christian Identity
[22:49] - Representing God: The Only Bible Some Will Read
[24:04] - Our Lives as a Reflection of God
[28:17] - Daniel: An Example of Bearing God’s Name
[32:40] - The Heart of the Law: Love and Transformation
[36:31] - Commitment, Covenant, and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Bearing God’s Name Well

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### Bible Reading

- Exodus 20:7
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

- 1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

- Daniel 6:4-5, 16, 22, 25-28
(Story of Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon and how his life pointed others to God.)

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Exodus 20:7, what does God warn will happen to those who take His name in vain?
2. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, what titles and roles does Peter say believers now have? What is the purpose of these roles?
3. In Daniel 6, what did Daniel’s enemies notice about his life and character? What was the only way they could accuse him? ([28:17])
4. The sermon explained that “take” in the third commandment is better understood as “bear” or “carry.” What difference does this make in how we understand the commandment? ([13:45])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said the Ten Commandments were given to people already set free, not as a way to earn salvation. Why is this distinction important for how we view God’s law today? ([04:00])
2. What does it mean to “bear God’s name in vain” beyond just using God’s name as a curse word? How does this relate to the way we live? ([16:23])
3. Daniel’s life in Babylon was described as “without reproach.” What does it look like for someone today to live in a way that points others to God, even in difficult or secular environments? ([29:12])
4. The sermon said, “We may be the only Bible some people ever read, the only Jesus some ever see.” What are the implications of this for our daily lives and interactions? ([22:49])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon compared bearing God’s name to carrying a family name and wanting to represent it well. Is there an area of your life where you feel you are not representing God’s name well? What is one step you could take to change that this week? ([19:35])
2. Think about your workplace, school, or neighborhood. Are there ways your actions or words might be giving people the wrong idea about who God is? What could you do differently to reflect His character more clearly? ([24:04])
3. The sermon challenged us not to “bear God’s name without result.” Are there places in your life where you feel you are just “coasting” in your faith? What would it look like to bear God’s name with “fullness, sincerity, and result”? ([16:23])
4. Daniel’s faithfulness was noticed even by those who didn’t believe in his God. Is there a situation in your life where you are tempted to compromise your integrity? How can Daniel’s example encourage you to stay faithful? ([29:12])
5. The sermon said, “If we live with anger, dishonesty, or compromise, we obscure His character.” Is there a specific attitude or habit you need to surrender to God so that your life points others to Him? ([24:04])
6. The heart of God’s law is love and transformation, not just rule-keeping. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to show more of God’s love? What is one practical way you can do that this week? ([33:56])
7. The message ended with a reminder that committing to Christ is just the beginning. What is one area where you want to grow in representing God more faithfully? How can the group pray for you in this? ([36:31])

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Devotional

Day 1: The Law as a Gift: God’s Instruction for Living

God’s law was never meant to be a burden or a means to earn salvation, but rather a gracious gift that provides wisdom, boundaries, and guidance for living in covenant with Him. Just as Israel was brought out of bondage before receiving the commandments, so too are believers set free and then given God’s instruction as a blessing for their journey. The law reveals God’s character and sets His people apart, showing them how to live in a way that reflects His holiness and love to the world. Embracing His ways is not about legalism, but about walking in the freedom and order He designed, so that His presence can dwell among His people and they can prosper as His representatives. [04:00]

Psalm 119:1-3 (ESV)
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to see God’s instruction as a gift rather than a restriction, and how can you intentionally seek His wisdom in that area today?


Day 2: Bearing God’s Name: Living as His Representatives

To bear the name of the Lord is to accept the responsibility of representing Him to the world, not just in words but in the way we live our lives. This means living set apart, with both feet in the covenant, so that our actions, attitudes, and choices reflect God’s character and not the values of the world. When we take His name, we are called to live with integrity, sincerity, and purpose, understanding that others will form their view of God based on their interactions with us. Bearing His name is not about perfection, but about a heart committed to honoring Him and making His goodness visible to others. [16:23]

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can more intentionally reflect God’s character to those around you this week, so that you bear His name with purpose and not in vain?


Day 3: A Kingdom of Priests: Called to Represent God to the Nations

God’s desire has always been for His people to be a kingdom of priests—a community set apart to proclaim His excellencies and make Him known to all nations. This calling is not just for ancient Israel, but for the church today, as we have been chosen, shown mercy, and brought out of darkness to shine His light. Our lives are meant to be a living testimony, drawing others to God by the way we love, serve, and proclaim His truth. As His royal priesthood, we are entrusted with the mission of representing His name and character wherever we go. [09:05]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the light of Christ through you, and how can you intentionally reach out to them as part of your calling as God’s royal priesthood?


Day 4: Bearing His Name with Result: Living with Integrity and Impact

Bearing God’s name is not a passive identity but an active calling to live with integrity, so that our lives produce fruit and point others to Him. Like Daniel, who was found blameless and faithful even in a hostile environment, we are called to live in such a way that even those who do not believe recognize the difference God makes in us. When we bear His name with result—living out His justice, mercy, and truth—God’s power and dominion are made visible to the world, and others are drawn to seek Him. Our daily choices matter, and God desires that we bear His name with fullness, sincerity, and impact. [29:12]

Daniel 6:4-5, 22, 26-27 (ESV)
Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” … “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” … “I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to compromise your integrity, and how can you choose today to bear God’s name with faithfulness and impact?


Day 5: The Heart of the Law: Loving God and Loving Others

At the core of God’s law is the call to love Him wholeheartedly and to love others as ourselves, not out of obligation but from a transformed heart. Jesus taught that the law is fulfilled in love, and that outward actions without inward devotion miss the true intent of God’s commands. It is possible to do religious works and yet miss the heart of God, but when we seek His will and allow His Spirit to shape us, our lives become a genuine reflection of His love and grace. Bearing His name well means letting our love for God and others be the driving force behind all we do. [34:37]

Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can show Christlike love to today, especially if it requires you to go beyond what is comfortable or expected?

Quotes

To bear his name in vain would be to enter a covenant relationship with him. Again, say the prayer. Give your life. But then live no differently than the rest of the world. He called us to be set apart. He told us how to do it. And when we take his name, when we enter that covenant, that is the standard he expects. We can't have one foot in and one foot out. [00:16:25] (00:00:35 seconds)  #CovenantCallsForHoliness Edit Clip

How we live illuminates what we think of God. That also is convicting to me. If I take God lightly, back to that whole, you know, using his name in vain, the original understanding of, you know, cursing with his name or using it lightly, flippantly. If I don't show reverence and fear of God in the way I live, that probably means that I don't actually have a true fear or reverence for God internally. [00:23:52] (00:00:39 seconds)  #LifeReflectsReverence Edit Clip

But a flip side of that is, if we let the presence of God reflect on our lives, if we let his true character represent through us, and we are peaceful, we are full of joy, we treat others with kindness, when they decide that they want to truly seek those qualities, and find a source of that, and they come to you to say, hey, look, you have peace. Where does, how do you, why do you have so much peace? Why are you so happy all the time? And that's not, the source of it isn't us, but now that gives us the opportunity to point them to the true source of that peace, of that kindness. [00:25:38] (00:00:48 seconds)  #PeacePointsToGod Edit Clip

It isn't about striving through work. See, the law has always been about condition of the heart. It's always been about the heart. Saved by faith. And the law was blasphemed through the Pharisees and those others and still is today. It wasn't just done, stop being blasphemed them by trying to strive through works to be boastful and prideful and look how I'm following. It is a condition of the heart to represent him well. [00:33:31] (00:00:29 seconds)  #HeartConditionMatters Edit Clip

It isn't about doing works during salvation. That's a free gift. It's about drawing others to know the love of God. What did Jesus boil it down to? The law. Love God and love others. Which he did perfectly. He loved God perfectly, completely followed the law in loving God and then loving others through his sacrifice for us. [00:34:00] (00:00:25 seconds)  #LoveIsTheLaw Edit Clip

But what if you turn that commandment around to a positive and say, you, we shall bear the name of the Lord thy God with fullness. We shall bear the name of the Lord thy God with goodness. We shall bear it with restoration. We shall bear it with success. We shall bear it with sincerity. We shall bear it with importance. We'll bear it with honesty. We'll bear it with sincerity. And we'll bear it with result. [00:35:49] (00:00:28 seconds)  #BearHisNameWithFullness Edit Clip

Now salvation is an eternal life. That's a gift. It isn't a ticket that you receive when you say the prayer and you stick in your pocket and then you go cash it into St. Peter at the gates. It's a responsibility. when you enter covenant with him, to represent him, to continue to grow in his ways, in his will. Committing your life to him is a first step. [00:36:17] (00:00:28 seconds)  #SalvationIsResponsibility Edit Clip