Reverence

“I can never again see a United States Marine without experiencing a feeling of reverence.” Gen. Johnson, U. S. Army

Being a Marine (not for some time, but once a Marine, always a Marine) I felt a sence of pride well up in me when I read this. I felt proud; but then I thought, reverence belongs to God.

As I do often, I will look to see what Mr. Webster has to say.

Definition of REVERENCE

1: honor or respect felt or shown : deference; especially : profound adoring awed respect

2: a gesture of respect (as a bow)

3: the state of being revered

4: one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverence)

I guess I most often hear and use this word in regard to things pertaining to God. According to the definition, there is no harm in using it outside that context.

What I would like to do now is use it in regard to God and/or things pertaining to God.

Do we reverence God?

Do you now, or have you ever used God’s name in vain (as a profanity)? Do you cringe when someone around you does? Do you turn off a movie or TV program if someone does?

Remember that command from the Ten Commandments that says “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain?”

The rest of verse 7 from Exodus chapter 20 says:  

for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

I tend to think God was serious about this. Now, for the lost, does it matter? If a person rejects Christ and is going to hell it might not make much difference. But, for a believer, I think it matters much. There are some who would say if you take the Lord’s name in vain you are obviously not saved. I will not argue that now.

What I want to do instead is issue the warning God Himself issued:

“for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

Friend, please consider this. If we truly reverence God, how can we take His Holy Name in vain? If this has not occurred to you, I beg you to consider this and pray about it. God loves you and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for your sins.

Is it not out of love and reverence that we are offended by the careless blasphemy of His name?

Of course there are many other ways we show a lack of reverence. Jesus said if we truly love Him, we will keep His commands. If we really love and reference Him, we will refrain from those things that displease Him.

I urge you to pray and ask Him to search your heart for that which keeps you apart from Him.

If...

If we put any terms to our commitment to receive, and/or follow Christ, is it a true conversion?

Examples:

“If you heal my kid, I will give my life to you and do whatever you ask!”

“If you give me a spouse…”

“If you give me this job…”

“If you give me wealth I will do thus and such…”

Is this Biblical?

I think the problem many of us face is a sense of entitlement; I deserve…

We live in a society that says if I do this, you must do that. Isn’t this how business is done today? Even governments use this method. I guess people have been using it since the days of Adam and Eve. 

Does God respond to such a proposition?

To be honest, I don’t know the intent of man’s heart; God does! I think God might use certain trials to lead to conviction and bring repentance, but I do not believe He even listens to the “if you give me…”  proposals. These are based on self; not our fallen, sinful state and/or Christ’s redemptive work. I do not mean to be cruel or judgmental, but I have to be honest. If we put terms other than what God says in His word, to our proposal, does that honor Him? Is that what He is looking for?    

What does Scripture say about receiving Christ?

Let’s look at some passages and see if we see a pattern.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  -Matthew 16:24,25

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. –Romans 10:10

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. -2 Corinthians 1:6

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. -2 Corinthians 7:10

I could go on but I think this is enough to establish what God is looking for. He wants our love and a heart that says “not my will, but Yours.”

What He does promise is peace, hope, joy, and salvation. He gave His all for us, should we not do the same?

In All Things...

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Are we willing to praise God in weakness? In persecution? In infirmities?

To what degree are we willing to go to please God?

I do not intend to say that God wants to watch us wiggle under the weight of affliction. But how do we see God in such afflictions? Do we see Him as a tyrant bent on hurting us; or do we see Him as a loving Father molding us into His likeness?

I like to put things in terms easy to understand or identify with. If I may, I should like to do that here. Think back to one of the many post-Superbowl speeches. Have you ever heard the MVP say something like “I’m glad this season is over. The coach set unrealistic goals for us and tried to kill us. He had us killing ourselves in the heat of summer, and freezing in the dead of winter. Now that I have proven to the world how great I am, maybe another team who will appreciate me will buy my contract and treat me the way I deserve to be treated.”

I can’t ever remember that sort of speech; however, I have heard many statements such as “Coach pushed us hard and we had to over come injuries and obstacles; but coach refused to let us quit. He kept pushing us to be better; to fight through the pain. Thanks to God, Coach, the fans, my family; without you all, we wouldn’t be here today.” Why would anyone praise someone for making them suffer? or, family for not trying to stop it?

Anyone who has done weight training, or physical therapy knows to get stronger/better, you have to push through the pain, and any other obstacle. I remember well when I was in boot camp our Drill Instructors saying “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” I’m not sure how true that is, but I would agree to some extent.

If we appreciate those who push us to achieve great heights in this life, why are we not willing to praise God who pushes us to achieve far greater heights?  

Coaches don’t just pick random people off the street to push. They scrutinize hundreds of people and pick those they see potential in. It is an honor to be chosen and subsequently pushed hard. The same is true of God. If He is squeezing you, it is because He wants to use you and can see potential in you. 

I urge you today to get on your knees and thank Him for loving you and pushing you upward. There is no greater honor!

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