Are We Taking God Seriously?
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How many Christians do not treat their faith seriously, or take it for granted? Many get up and go to work or school, but they did not find time to talk to God. Undoubtedly, many Christians have some type of insurance (life, home, auto, medical, dental, etc.), but they see their spiritual lives as a bit trivial, like only praying when trouble comes their way.
Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house for dinner. A sinful woman learned of this, came to the house, and began to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears. She kissed them and anointed them with oil. The Pharisee was critical of this, but Jesus told him a parable. A creditor had two debtors, one owed a small amount while the other a large amount. The creditor forgave both debts, so which one was more grateful? The Pharisee replied that it is the one that was forgiven the most.
“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 7:44-48).
Basically, the people who love Christ little are not as intense about their faith in Jesus. As we come to Jesus in a serious manner, astounding things occur.
Are We Taking God Seriously?
Because we currently live in a critically challenging time, there must be a reason why people do not take God at His Word. Do we even take God seriously? Provided that this is true, how might we be aware? What is the significance here in taking God in such a grave manner? How can we say whether or not people are earnest about their confidence and faith in God?
Individuals who are serious about their faith do not mistake it for different convictions, loyalties, or blend them together aimlessly with the secular world’s belief system.
Individuals who are serious about their faith do not agree to, empower, or allow any infringement of its norms by its declared believers.
Individuals who are serious about their faith do not stay quiet about it, apologize for it, or allow it to be treated as if it had little or no effect in their conduct or in their associations with others.
Individuals who are serious about their faith study the Scriptures, have a positive prayer life, and look for ways to lead others to Christ.
Individuals who are serious about their faith continually seek the Lord’s guidance in all aspects of their life.
I believe that the actual question that we should ask ourselves is this, “How do we go about taking God seriously?” Taking God seriously starts first by us having a “fear of the Lord.”
What Is the Fear of the Lord?
“The fear of the Lord” is a vital topic in the wisdom writing of the Bible, from the book of Job through the Song of Solomon. It means to have regard and adoration for God and to feel in wonder of His highness and power. This is the beginning stage to tracking down genuine wisdom.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
Perhaps the most irritating sort of individual is a smart aleck, an individual who has an overbearing assessment on everything and who is shut to anything new. Solomon calls this sort of individual a braggart. We should not turn into a know-it-all. All things being equal, we ought to be open to the guidance of others, particularly the people who are familiar with us and can give us significant insight and advice. We should ascertain how to gain understanding from others. Only God knows everything.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Nobody can be really wise except if he fears the Lord. This is not only about respect, yet it does not infer panic and terror. The thought is one of lowliness, profound love, and surrender. The reason for fearing God in this manner is believing that He is sacred and abhors and rebuffs sin. The people who appropriately comprehend God's position have a reasonable perspective on the real world, prompting knowledge and improved results.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:10).
The best way to turn out to be genuinely insightful is to fear (revere) God. Time after time, individuals try to skirt this progression, imagining that they can become savvy through life experience and scholastic information alone. Yet, if we do not recognize God as the wellspring of wisdom, then the core for using sound judgment is temperamental, and we are ill-fated to stupid decisions. We ought to continuously recall that wisdom comes from perceiving God as the wellspring of wisdom, and to submit to His regulations.
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).
The Impact on Our Lives
By revering the Lord, an individual increases in wisdom, yet he should lower himself to acquire that wisdom. He readily recognizes his dependence on the Lord for good judgment, and he unassumingly submits to the Lord's directions. An individual cannot begin with a mentality of haughtiness and hope to procure honor.
“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” (Proverbs 14:26-27).
Revering the Lord builds certainty. Neither troublesome individual conditions nor disturbing world occasions can shake the believer’s confirmation that God is in charge. The word fear interpreted here suggests regard and respect. In a believer, a solid regard for God and His truth helps us keep away from the results of sin in our lives. The children of a person who loves the Lord also enjoy the Lord’s security, as the life of a God-fearing adult impact the kids and help them to also venerate God.
That trusting, compliant submission to God's will delivers a nurturing stream, interfacing us to the honest love of our Creator (John 10:10). Confiding in the Lord as Savior brings plentiful, never-ending life (John 3:16). Additionally, showing respect to God brings about a reviving, intentional life. By respectfully fearing the Lord, an individual stays away from the normal outcomes of transgression and malevolence (Proverbs 12:28). That security reaches out past the natural life; creatures caught in a trap face demise, yet the believer will not face eternal death (John 10:27-28).
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).
The more an individual regards and fears God, the more the person will not stand evil. Having a love for God and a love for transgression cannot coincide. Holding onto secret sins implies that we are enduring evil inside ourselves. We should make a total separation from transgression and commit ourselves totally to God.
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).
True Spiritual Wisdom
The “fear of the Lord” may seem like a weird term for the law God gave Israel, however the Law was expected to help the Israelite people to fear the Lord. The significance of fear here is the old feeling of significant regard, lowliness, and acknowledgment. This is not a feeling of terror, however, but of respect. That respectful anxiety toward the Lord is spotless, and perseveres until the end of time. Not at all like false religions that are polluted, God's Word is pure and never-ending. An appointed authority might deliver an off-base decision, yet God's decisions are valid, and they are completely exemplary.
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6).
The treasures of God are abundantly more than our needs, and He provides salvation and wisdom to the individuals who accept and respect Him and His sovereignty.
To take God seriously is to have a reverential fear of God. By doing so we gain true spiritual wisdom and knowledge on how we are to live, how to work, and how to teach others. We can be assured that God will do what He says that He will do.
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