For Christ’s Sake

All my life, especially growing up in the 1960s with a pagan father, I heard him and others say ‘for Christ’s sake,’ in a derogatory, and God-mocking way. In fact, that’s the only way I ever heard the phrase used… in an angry… sneering way. I don’t recall having ever heard the phrase said in a loving, appealing way. Then again, to my shame, I used that phrase in the same way. While God has forgiven me for using his name in vain as I did, that phrase, ‘for Christ’s sake,’ has remained a derogatory. Now, going through and recording voiceovers of Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s sermons, he very often used ‘for Christ’s sake,’ in the most meaningful and pleading way… sincere, a prayer within itself.

Wow. Talk about the warring of the flesh against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh… when I got to the point of saying ‘for Christ’s sake,’ in Spurgeon’s sermons, there was initially an acid-reflux of guilt and shame… remembering my own misuse of his precious name… Christ. However, Father intended this project for my confession and healing. Now, having confronted the ugly past of my profane usage of such a glorious Name and appeal, I can say with all sincerity for Christ’s sake, know that to confront one’s ugly past brings true refreshment.