Our society is facing the greatest threat it has faced in its history. Since the Revolution, America has never faced a disease or certain demise like it is presently facing. The nation that is adored for its history of freedom, reputation for helping the despondent across the globe, and has been a beacon of hope and liberation is on the brink of trial like never before.  

SO, WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

 While society has pushed God out wholesale, there exists congregations that bear the name of Christ, who have raised up at least two generations that acknowledge God exist, but remove from Him any form of ultimate authority. They have turned God into a figure which the Bible does not present. What is the difference in a wholesale push to remove God and a wholesale push to neuter Him of His power, glory and honor? This author suggests the problem is: a group of people who are entirely too comfortable with God. They’re too “chummy chummy” with Him. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

The Biblical position

Psalm 89:7 “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him”

Psalm 36:1 “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes” (c.f. Romans 3:18)

Psalm 111:9-10 “He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures forever”

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction”

Proverbs 14:26-27 “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”

Job 28:28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding”

Luke 1:50 “And His mercy is in them that fear Him from generation to generation”

Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”

These verses are just a small sampling of text that teach men to view God in a healthy way.

What about fear?

Fear can be defined as terror, but in the biblical usage, in reference to God, it means respect, reverence, piety.

The Bible is saying we should view God with a level of reverential awe, respect, and reverence (Psalm 4:4). For years now, a group of religious people have referenced God as “Daddy-o” or the “Big Guy in the sky” or the “old man upstairs.” This is certainly inadequate in reference to the almighty. The creator and sustainer- our REDEEMER! And it is this view of God that has caused people who profess Him to, “draw nigh to Him with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him” (Matthew 15:8).

Even if these terms aren’t adopted and used by some in the Lord’s church, the attitude they display towards God is seen in (1) the lives they lead or (2) the worship they offer.

The Lives They Lead

Many otherwise “moral and upright” people lose good standing when they fail to stand with God on issues concerning life. God has an opinion and a standard when it comes to the home, marriage, career and recreation. Just because someone doesn’t use foul language, doesn’t live promiscuously, doesn’t mean they are right with God. Good standing with God doesn’t come from my “good deeds” or “moral uprightness” alone. While some don’t practice homosexuality, they support it. They don’t stand with God when it comes to the sanctity of the home. Just because someone recognizes that marriage is between a man and a woman doesn’t give them proper standing with God. Some who profess to love God, do not stand with God on the issue of “Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage.” Some have given up their right to the marriage bed by being “put away for fornication” (Matthew.19:9), yet, some just excuse that as old, outdated scripture that has little relevance to today’s societal marriage situations. Some work in careers that extol ungodliness, and work as dancers, bar tenders, brewers, distributors, etc. Can a child of God be involved in these things and be pleasing to God? Can a child of God deliver all the beer to every convenience store in town in the name of “having a job?” Can a child of God shake and gyrate their bodies and wear scandalous clothing in the name of “earning a living?” These and other issues deserve more thought and consideration when it comes to living a life pleasing to God- living for God. What is the problem? Either people are not being taught better, or there is no fear of God before their eyes.

The Worship They Offer

There has never been a time since the dawn of creation where worship to God was not regulated. There is a regulative principle found throughout the sacred text from the Garden of Eden until this present day.

This author has heard of men bemoaning “rules” in regards to worship. Some might retort, “I hate rules.” Well, therein is a problem. Some men despise Gods regulative authority. They do not see the benefit in worshiping within the bounds of Gods divine jurisdiction. Sincerity is not the standard, but a “thus saith the Lord.” Rules and regulations have been observed in the Garden of Eden, Noah and the ark, the Patriarchal system of worship/sacrifice, Levitical Priesthood and the work of the tabernacle and temple all the way down to our day. The regulatory principle is so pronounced in the scriptures that the system of worship observed in the synagogues of Jesus day were “A Capella.”   The instruments that were used under the old economy at the temple were (1) commanded (2) regulated to the temple (3) regulated to the Levites in the temple. Thus, the use of instruments in the synagogue was prohibited (Judaica Encyclopedia, Volume 14, Pg.643).

New Testament worship grew out of the synagogue system of worship/congregational singing. “The abolition of Temple worship also put an end to the refined instrumental arts of the Levites” (Ibid.). No matter how much a man may want to move in the direction of the “newer age” worship, the safe bet is to always “ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Only people who have a healthy “fear” of God will seek to do only that which He requests- regulates and accepts. God is into details… Worship and reverence matters.

So, what is the problem?

Reverence is taught, modeled and experienced.

People need to be taught to fear God. People have to be taught about the holiness of God, and although we being adopted, “cry out Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15), this relationship still demands our reverential awe of our Heavenly Father. If we wouldn’t be flippantly disrespectful to our mortal father, why would we even begin to treat the immortal Father with such contempt?

We have several records of individuals coming into the presence of God or a manifestation of God, and none of them became flippant or too familiar with Him (See Job 42:5ff; Isaiah 6; Luke 5). And it is this kind of reverence that needs to be, yea, must be taught.

If the upcoming generations do not see in the lives of Christians a reverence for God it will not matter what is taught. Reverence must be modeled. This will fortify the teaching- when children see their parents and church family hold God in His rightful place. When they know that every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God matters. When the Word of God is respected and exalted and obeyed, this will lead them into the proper view- a healthy view of God.

Finally, reverence will be experienced. Children that experience reverence for God down here, will ultimately experience reverence for God in eternity as well. Make no mistake about it, in Heaven, God will be held in reverence. “And a voice came out of the throne saying, praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and the voice of many waters, and the voice of mighty thundering’s, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor unto Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:5-7).

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