A fundamental lesson that man must learn is to show reverence toward his Maker. It is expected that the perverse and ungodly will display irreverence, but how astounding that some professed Christians speak and act with disrespect for the Almighty!

There is a proper sense in which people are to be reverent toward one another. For example, a wife is to reverence her husband (Eph. 5:33). We are to show reverence toward our earthly fathers (Heb. 12:9). Honor is to be given to the one to whom honor is due (Rom. 13:7). Notwithstanding, the reverence to which God is entitled transcends any esteem to which mortals may justly lay claim.

To "reverence" God is to show honor or respect; profound esteem; sacred veneration; awe; solemn adoration. Serving God acceptably demands "reverence and godly fear" (Heb. 12:28).

The following are some of the ways in which reverence toward God should find expression:

1. Respect for God's law. Today we live under the law of Christ (a system of grace), not under the law of Moses (a system of works). If our attitude toward God is one of deep and solemn adoration, we are not going to make light of the New Testament, nor flout the authority of the apostles of our Lord. The individual who makes mockery of the writings of Paul or Peter either does not understand their having been guided by the Holy Spirit or else lacks reverence for God. "So speak ye, and so do ye," said James, "as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty" (Jas. 2:12). "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).

2. Regular worship of God. Some have the idea that one worships God day and night in everything that he does in the regular routine of business, family life, etc. The Bible speaks of worship in a more specific sense. In Acts 8:27 we are told of a man who had been to Jerusalem "to worship." What God teaches us to do to pay homage and give praise to Him is worship. We are to assemble ourselves together (Heb. 10:25), and a chief purpose in assembling is to praise and offer thanksgiving to God.

Sometimes people whisper, write notes, fall asleep, play with little children, or daydream in what is intended as an assembly for worship and edification. The problem is lack of reverence toward God. The Psalmist said in the long ago, "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" (Psa. 89:7).

3. Honor in addressing God. Because Jehovah is Deity and we are frail creatures, we dare not encroach on His Majesty. It is one thing to feel a nearness to God; it is quite another thing to speak and act as if we are on the same level as He.

The` "buddy-buddy" attitude that some reflect in their approach to the Almighty goes beyond the proper limits. One young man is reported to have begun a public prayer with this form of address: "Hello Dad!" Dick Greco, the Mayor of Tampa, tells a story about attending a picnic where a large number of youngsters were present. One young man jumped up on top of a table and shouted, "Ruba-dub-dub, Thanks for the grub. Yea God!" That was the blessing.

Jesus taught that we should pray after this manner: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name" (Matt. 6:9). It is manifestly irreverent to address God in a lighthearted, backslapping, old-pal manner. Many people show more respect in addressing their Congressman, their Governor, or the President of the United States than they show in their methods of address to the Ruler of the whole Universe.

4. Dignity in teaching the word of God, Paul instructed Titus, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" (Tit. 2:7, 8). The same apostle admonished the young preacher Timothy to be an example "in word" or "in speech" (1 Tim. 4:12). Vulgar language is that which is offensive to good taste. Profane speech is that which is unholy, impure, or suggestive of evil. Preachers and teachers of God's word must exercise care not to appear coarse, vulgar, or profane in their speech. Reverence toward God demands that the gospel be preached with dignity. An unseemly or offensive wording of what one is trying to teach serves only to degrade the message.

5. Loyalty to the Son of God. Read the parable of the wicked husbandmen in Matt. 21:33-46. When the householder sent his servants to receive of the fruit of the vineyard, one was beaten, another killed, and another stoned. Finally, he sent his son, saying, "They will reverence my son." But they slew him! This illustrates how the Jews rejected the prophets and leaders sent by Jehovah, then finally killed the Messiah. God wanted Israel to reverence His Son. He wants us to do the same. If we do have profound respect for God and His Son, our lives will be loyal to Christ.

6. Humility in life. The man who exalts himself unduly lacks reverence toward God. The truly reverent person knows his sinfulness, his need for the grace of God, his frailty, and his imperfections. All of this makes him humble. In deep humility he serves Him who is revered above all others.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:11, p. 2
January 17, 1974