Living Room Study

1 John 3

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s Children.  And we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him.”  1 John 3:1

I recently saw a documentary on “children of the rich & famous”. To me, the kid who stood out most was Paris Hilton. It’s not because she’s a pop singer, a fashion model, or a reality TV diva. It’s because I used to live in hotel rooms, touring around the world in a rock band.

When a band is just starting out, nobody pays them any money! They usually drive a rusty van, and sleep on strangers’ floors & run-down hotels. Glamorous, huh?

I remember one concert promoter, early in my career. He actually put us up in a Hilton hotel. It was incredible! The carpet didn’t smell like stale beer, and the sheets didn’t have stains. There wasn’t the “38-caliber” 2am wake-up call we had become accustomed to. For me, Hilton meant Heaven!

Enter Paris. What upset me so much was that she has diminished the Hilton name to Motel 6 status.

How well do God’s children represent the name they have inherited? I think about that question often, usually whenever I have to make a decision that involves me choosing to be a servant, or be served! What about yourself? Have you entered a saving relationship with Jesus? How have you represented and honored the name the Lord has given you?

The third commandment says: “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.” Many Christians believe this commandment tells us not to say God’s name as a curse word. While it is never a good idea to flippantly say the Lord’s name, the 3^rd commandment is actually telling us a whole other thing.

The 3^rd commandment carries the idea that we should not “receive” the Lord’s name in vain. That is, don’t accept His Name and then act like a child of the World.

I am glad that I experienced “Hilton” the hotel, before I learned of “Hilton” the heiress. Let’s pray she comes to know Jesus. The apostle John says the reason the World does not know us is that it didn’t know God. Let’s do our best to make sure the World chooses to know God because they DO know us.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins