We have been working through the statement of the Westminster Confession on the blessings that attend a right observance of the Lord’s Supper. We come now to the fourth, which is our “further engagement in and to all duties which [we] owe unto Him.” This is another way of saying that by partaking of this Supper, we are renewing our covenant obligations before the Lord. Put yet another way, we are renewing our baptismal oath to live as Christians.
The Third Commandment forbids taking the name of the Lord in vain. This is commonly thought to be a simple prohibition of cussing, which it certainly includes, but the center of the command is more profound than that. The word “take” in the command is not referring primarily to saying the name of the Lord. The word means to bear or carry. When the Jews were established as a people in the Old Testament, they were called by His name. When we were established as a people under the new covenant, the same thing happened. We were all baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We therefore carry or bear the name of the Lord, and we do so in our persons. We are Christians.
Another way to think of this is that we are all named Christopher. The pher comes from the Greek word meaning to bear or carry, and Christ is the name that is borne. Every Christian is Christopher; every Christian bears or carries the name of Christ. Now the Third Commandment is primarily about the need for us to not do this bearing or carrying in vanity. Do not be called Christian in vain.
Clearly the thing we must always remember is something that is easy for us to forget. God in His kindness has therefore given you a weekly opportunity to renew or recall your covenant obligations, your covenant vows. As you eat the bread, this is further engagement in and to all duties which you owe to the Lord. As you drink the wine, you are doing the same.
God sets your duties before you, and you have the opportunity to eat and drink your duties. In so doing, He nourished you in such a way that you can perform your duties. Even obedience, especially obedience, is found to be the grace of God.