3 - LORD'S PRAYER - the Lord´s Requirementsਨਮੂਨਾ

09 – In the Church?

We have seen that God’s Name is not sanctified in the world, even though His glory is visible and tangible throughout the earth (Psalm 19:1–6).

So where else might it be sanctified?

When Isaiah described his vision of God, he said: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1, NIV).

The prophet suggests that God’s Name should be sanctified in the temple—and by extension, in churches and religious gatherings. Naturally, we expect that the Name of God be honored in such places.

But the concept of “temple” as a place for a deep, personal encounter with the Living God is changing under the influence of modern ideas of worship. Too often, the program of the service, the special music, a particular social activity, the fame of the preacher, or even the architecture of the building are valued more than God Himself—His power and His presence. In such cases, His Name is neither truly honored nor sanctified.

Sometimes worshippers do not even know God’s character and therefore cannot worship Him in holiness. Some churches resemble social organizations dressed in religious formalities; others look more like financial institutions. Still others place greater importance on their own traditions or idols.

In such religious environments, God’s Name may not be sanctified at all. For in empty religiosity, His Name never will be.