How often have you heard God’s name used to punctuate a statement or to curse a situation or a person? It’s common to hear the names God, Lord, or Jesus Christ used in these profane ways. And those who use God’s name in such useless, empty, and vain ways seem to think nothing of it.

But God does not take the profane use of His name lightly. He says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Do you have the habit of misusing God’s name? God will not overlook this violation of His moral Law. If you refuse to repent of this sin, the gates of heaven will be closed to you on the Day of Judgment. And you will hear these awesome words, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

But here is the “Good News”. The gates of heaven will be thrown open to you if you turn from your sin and trust in Christ as the One who paid the penalty due to you for your sins. The gates of heaven will be open to you if you call on God to forgive you. “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).