Thank you to Tim Tebow for this one.
Heard somebody use Jesus’ name as a cuss word the other day, and finally had the presence of mind to employ the “Tebow trick”:
“Jesus!”
“Loves you!”
I wasn’t looking at the person when I chimed in. There was just silence. I glanced over to see her blank look. “Jesus loves you,” I said.
The spiritual stand-off lasted maybe another second and a half, and then she went on about her business.
But, hey: somebody told her the King of the cosmos loves her.
I’ve realized this is such an easy way to “boomerang” the misuse of Christ’s name: turning it around so that it glorifies Him and sends a message to the unbeliever. And it doesn’t have to always be the same response, either.
“Jesus—
loves you”
died for your sins”
rose from the dead”
is Lord”
is coming back”
will judge the world”
Notice the order? That’s virtually the entire Gospel in a nutshell: Jesus, God-incarnate, loves us and died for our sins. But he didn’t stay dead; he rose again, and God-the-Father exalted Him to lordship of all creation. Now, while representing believers before the throne of God, Jesus waits for the final tally of converts over the span of history. When the time is right, He will return to right all wrongs, and to “judge the living and the dead.” (2 Timothy 4:1)
Then we will be with the Lord forever. [1 Thessalonians 4:17]
On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. [2 Peter 3:12-13]
All in response to someone abusing the Lord’s name. If it’s someone you see frequently, especially a co-worker, you can use their bad habit to incrementally lay out the Good News to them.
Of course, there’s always my old stand-by: “Might wanna be careful how you use that name. You’re gonna meet Him someday.”1
More food for thought: