“Hallowed” is a word that has been lost in our language because the concept has been lost from our lives. It means “to make holy, be separated, be transcendent!”
God’s Name in the Bible is the summation of God’s character, the fullness of who God is. God’s name should always be held in honor and not used casually. Using God’s name in any other way is wrong. We must use it with awe and reverence, despite the intimacy of our relationship.
When Jesus said, “Hallowed be thy name, what name was He talking about?” Now this may surprise you, but the greatest name of the ages, the name above ALL names is JESUS!
John 17: 6 (NKJV) Jesus said, “I have manifested Your name,” or “I have revealed Your name.”
Philippians 2:9-10 (NKJV) “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”
When you pray, you come in the Name of Jesus Christ. You come through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to recognize the Name. We’re to reverence the Name. We are to rely upon the Name.
John14:13-14, Jesus said, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father… Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
We have the freedom of a child to make requests of our Father, but we need to recognize that we are not his equals. Only Jesus Christ is that kind of Son.
Hallowing, or exalting the name of God is not just a matter of your vocabulary. Many people fail to hallow God’s name, who would never think of using His name in a vulgar, or obscene context. They simply do not take God seriously in the way they live. Problem solving becomes a matter of relying on human resources and ingenuity. God is nowhere to be found in the picture. This is something we do because of our human pride, and our attitude of self-sufficiency.
Romans 1:21(NIV), “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and THEIR FOOLISH HEARTS were darkened.”
Here’s my question for you. Is the Lord Jesus Christ your God? Can you say for sure that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Is He is the source of our life, and the sustainer of your life? Is He is life itself? If so, then let your life demonstrate it today.
by Corville Peters
