Where is The Fear and Reverence of God Today?

I witnessed something yesterday at church that caught me off guard and really got me to thinking about just how complacent we have become in our attitudes towards God. I saw someone sitting in the sanctuary with their feet up on the back of the seat in front of them. Sort of reminded me of the people who have their feet on the dash of their mom’s car while tooling down the highway.

Now, I realize that many may say what’s the big deal; at least this young person was in church instead of out doing something they shouldn’t be. OK…I get that. And I agree, it is far better to be in the house of God then out doing who knows what.

But does all of that mean we should allow ourselves to become so irreverent in the house of God that this kind of behavior is acceptable? Have we become so lax in our treatment of the house of God that we should just look the other way when we see these things?

This is just a small, isolated incident that is really part of a much larger problem. We have lost our fear of the Holy. We no longer respect our God as we once did. This is obvious in the world as well as the church, as more and more the church has become synonymous with the world. You know, hard to tell which is which any more isn’t it?

I’ve begun again this year to read the Bible through and my study selection this week has focused upon the book of Acts, particularly chapter 5. Many will remember that this chapter deals with a man and his wife who sold a piece of property and conspired together to lie about the price they received from the sale of it.

Act 5:1 And a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

Act 5:2 And he kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Act 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.

Act 5:5 And hearing these words, Ananias fell down and expired. And great fear came on all those who heard these things.

Act 5:6 And the younger ones arose, wound him up, and carrying him out, they buried him.

Act 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours afterward, when his wife (not knowing what was done) came in.

Act 5:8 And Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.

Act 5:9 Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out.

Act 5:10 Then at once she fell down at his feet and expired. And the younger ones found her dead, and, carrying her out, buried her beside her husband.

Act 5:11 And great fear came on all the church and on as many as heard these things.

I’m certainly not advocating that the Lord begin to strike people dead in their tracks for lying to Him. I doubt the funeral homes could handle the traffic and besides, God is graceful and compassionate towards his people.

But is it asking too much for those who profess Christ as their Savior to show Him love and respect? Seriously, just what is our image of our heavenly Father if we can have such a lax and disrespectful attitude toward Him?

Has Your Lamp Gone Out ?

As I spend time reflecting upon the opportunities God gave me to minister to others over the course of 2011 I am troubled by the fact that I know there were opportunities lost due to my own failure to obey.

What is most disturbing about this is that I cannot say that I did not know. I cannot plead ignorance to what the Lord wanted me to do. I cannot blame my shortcomings (pretty word for failures, don't you think?)on someone else.

No, I have to confess that my light did not shine as brightly as it should have and that at times what was most important to me was my own will, my own desires and not my heavenly Father's.

Funny thing about all of this is that we never see it coming do we? I mean, we don't deliberately turn our light off. We don't set out to disobey do we?

Maybe the problem is that we get so comfortable, so complacent, that we begin to believe that it's us and not God who is leading the charge. Could it be that we forget where we came from, and what the Lord has brought us through?

What I do know for certain is that it isn't enough to claim God is Lord of our life. It isn't enough to just say the words that we will follow Him wherever he leads. No, lip service offered to God is the same as what Israel offered to the Lord after their hearts were hardened and they had forsaken the Lord.

Isa 29:13 And Jehovah said, Because this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the command of men;

My prayer is that not only in my own life but in yours as well that we learn to obey His voice and forsake our own will so that He can truly lead us as He desires.