1 John 3 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called G_d’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 G_d’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 Yeshua? How have you represented and honored the new name the L_rd has given you?

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

The 3rd commandment carries the idea that we should not “receive” the L_rd’s name in vain. That is, don’t receive His Name (As a bride receives a groom’s name) and then act like you’re still married to 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 Yeshua in a saving way, soon. The apostle John says the reason the World does not know us is that it does not know G_d. Let’s do our best to live at a level of Biblical integrity, in hope that the World chooses to know G_d because they DO know us.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Sunday, December 8, 2013