God's Name Not Blasphemed
We must repent, turn to good, and live a righteous life to avoid having God's name blasphemed.
Clement of Rome urges believers to repent sincerely, turn away from folly and wickedness, and seek righteousness. He emphasizes the importance of not just speaking God's words but also living them out, as failing to do so leads to blasphemy of God's name among the nations. Clement highlights the need to love even our enemies, as this is a true reflection of God's goodness and prevents our faith from being mocked and God's name from being dishonored.
Text
Brethren, then, let us now at length repent, let us soberly turn to that which is good; for we are full of abundant folly and wickedness. Let us wipe out from us our former sins, and repenting from the heart be saved; and let us not be men-pleasers, nor be willing to please one another only, but also the men without, for righteousness sake, that the name may not be, because of us, blasphemed. For the Lordsays,
Continually my name is blasphemed among all nations, and Wherefore my name is blasphemed; blasphemed in what? In your not doing the things which I wish.
For the nations, hearing from our mouth the oracles of God, marvel at their excellence and worth; thereafter learning that our deeds are not worthy of the words which we speak--receiving this occasion they turn to blasphemy, saying that they are a fable and a delusion. For, whenever they hear from us that God says, No thank have ye, if you love them which love you, but you have thank, if you love your enemies and them which hate you -- whenever they hear these words, they marvel at the surpassing measure of their goodness; but when they see, that not only do we not love those who hate, but that we love not even those who love, they laugh us to scorn, and the name is blasphemed.
Sermon Outline
- Repentance and Turning to Good
- Avoid Men-Pleasing
- The Consequences of Unrighteous Deeds
- The Importance of Loving Enemies
- God's command to love enemies
- Our failure to love those who hate us
Key Quotes
“For the Lord says, Continually my name is blasphemed among all nations, and Wherefore my name is blasphemed; blasphemed in what? In your not doing the things which I wish.” — Clement of Rome
“For the nations, hearing from our mouth the oracles of God, marvel at their excellence and worth; thereafter learning that our deeds are not worthy of the words which we speak--receiving this occasion they turn to blasphemy, saying that they are a fable and a delusion.” — Clement of Rome
“Whenever they hear these words, they marvel at the surpassing measure of their goodness; but when they see, that not only do we not love those who hate, but that we love not even those who love, they laugh us to scorn, and the name is blasphemed.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We must repent and turn to good to avoid having God's name blasphemed.
- We should strive to please others for righteousness' sake, not for personal gain.
- Loving our enemies is a crucial aspect of living a righteous life.