Another sloppy heresy that is spouted by many in Christendom is the idea that you should not take the name of the Lord in vain. By this, their understanding is that a Christian cannot curse using the name of Christ. Like if you were to stub your toe, you might yell, “Jesus Christ!” or if you see a catastrophe, your mouth might utter “Oh my God!”
This is straight garbage. Because first of all, when people say these things, it’s an automatic response. People say these things as a knee-jerk reaction. We don’t really intend on blaspheming the name of God. And even if we do, that too is covered by the blood. A saved person can blaspheme “wherewith soever they shall blaspheme” and still be saved (Matthew 3:28).
In fact, Jeremiah blasphemed God, calling God a trickster.
Jeremiah 20
7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Instead, the statement “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” is in regard to doctrine. How can this be? Because to do something in vain is to do something with no result. It is an exercise in futility.
For example, people who fold their dirty clothes before putting them in the washing machine, do so in vain. Because the clothes are going to become unfolded in the wash. You are supposed to fold the clothes after that they have been washed and dried.
Therefore, to take the name of the Lord in vain, is to take upon you the name of God, in a useless manner. To bear no fruit. And remember, fruit is faith in the finished work of the cross.
Exodus 20
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
God will not hold you guiltless if you call yourself a “Christian,” but do not believe in the gospel. You might be a Mormon, a Catholic, a Methodist, or a Calvinist, it makes no difference, whatsoever. There is no safety hiding under the label of “Christian.” There is only safety in the gospel. God will not hold you guiltless if you call yourself a Christian, yet have never believed the gospel. What’s ironic is if you say that you can lose your salvation by cursing with God’s name; that, itself, is taking the name of the Lord in vain. Because you deny the gospel. You deny the whole point of the doctrine of Christ. The Bible says that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If you call yourself a Christian and deny this fact, you have taken the name of the Lord in vain.
Matthew 1
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
His name is Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. If you deny that he will save his people from their sins, then you have taken his name in vain. Jesus Christ is perfect. And he is perfect in saving you from your sins, he cannot fail to save you from your sins.
Furthermore, Paul makes the same statement to the Galatians who were told that they have to be circumcised and keep the law, in order to be saved.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Salvation is not contingent upon anything other than believing on Christ. If you make it contingent upon anything else, like behavior, keeping the law, or being baptized, then you have taken the name of the Lord in vain. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Therefore, believe the gospel. Once saved you cannot lose your salvation. It’s impossible to be guilty of taking the name of the Lord in vain.