Honoring His Name

We all represent something.  Our families.  Our employers.  Our neighborhoods.  Our favorite teams.  Everywhere we go, we bear testimony of who we are and to what we pay allegiance.  This is especially true for those that bear the name of Christ.  As God gives Ezekiel a word for the Israelites in captivity,  He says,   

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:22-23,ESV).

God announces to His people that He is going to restore them for the sake of His name.  Yahweh’s reputation was at stake.  His chosen people had profaned His name in the presence of the nations.  As Israel was judged, her God was called into question.  God would restore His people in order to restore His name.  He would not only restore them, but He would also change them.  And, the surrounding nations would see God “when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight” (Ezekiel 36:23, HCSB).

It matters how we live.  We are a reflection of the God we serve.  Our attitudes and actions, convictions and conduct all bear witness to who our God is and how devoted we are to Him.  Whether we like it or not, we represent God.  That’s the idea Paul had in mind when he said we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).  May we honor His name in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).  May all of those around us see God in us and honor and glorify Him (Matthew 5:16).