"God is coming – look busy"
"According to dusty religious scripture, God's return will be preceded by Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse inflicting untold misery across the land. But Early Doors took a peek out the window this morning and couldn't spot any signs of war, disease or pestilence, at least no more than you would expect in the poky corner of south-west London it inhabits. Which is strange, because God is most certainly returning. Don't worry, ED hasn't joined an apocalyptic cult in anticipation of an imminent rapture, with beakers of Kool-Aid at the ready and hundreds of disciples in tow - but have you heard the good news? Robbie Fowler — nicknamed God by Liverpool fans, and part-time horse racing enthusiast and landlord extraordinaire — is signing for Blackpool."
How about that. God is coming. And he is an aging UK footballer.
The man has been retired for 4 years but this was one of the last sports articles about him in 2006 before that current article above was published:
Liverpool - City of God
"The second coming was complete on Wednesday when for the first time in over four years Robbie Fowler ran on to the Anfield pitch as a Liverpool FC player. ... Few players have endeared themselves to the supporters in quite the same way as the 30-year-old did during his first spell at Liverpool. His 171 goals in 330 appearances earned him the nickname 'God' from his legions of admirers. "
And here I thought all this time the City of God was Jerusalem.
Hopefully if you are reading this you will be a saddened as I am at the cavalier application of the Most High's name to an aging footballer well liked by his fans. You will know and understand the blasphemy. Do they really not understand what they are doing when they say stuff like this?
Let's take a look at the Third Commandment. "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). Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry has a good article on the subject. I encourage you to read it, it is short.
God's name is holy, and it was given to us by Himself. It identifies who He is, the one and only God. To adopt that name for casual purposes, for example, to express surprise or anger is a gross misuse of the fullness of His name for an empty purpose.
To use that name for one's self or even to accept it without refutation when it is given to a person by others is idolatry in the highest sense. When Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra and they had performed a miracle, the people prepared a sacrifice to them and called them gods. Paul and Barnabas were horrified and tore their clothes and shouted to the crowd not to do it. (Acts 14:11-18). But Fowler was called THE God? And for people to scream accolades and honors to that false 'god' as the footballers did? How empty and vain, how unholy.
As for believers, let us be careful about using His name. Refresh our minds with the commandment not to take it uselessly. After all, it is God’s saving name: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). It is the highest name: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name..." (Philippians 2:9). When we utter the name of God out loud, whether it be God or Jesus or Holy Spirit or Yeshua or LORD/Lord...whatever appellation you use when you speak of Him, do it with honor and dignity, praising that name above all names.
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