Reverence & Respect

Reverence & Respect

Do you ever notice the way people show a lack of respect and reverence for God. Now, I'm not talking about non-christians, atheists, agnostics, or satanists, I'm talking about people who actually go to church regularly or who call themselves "christians".
I notice it a lot in teens because I work with teens, but it's not just teens it's adults too. I'm not talking about a lack of respect like wearing a hat in the sanctuary, i'm talking about people who don't listen, talk through the entire service or class, and are a major distraction in church services and classes.

It's not only disrespectful to the teacher or minister who is teaching the class or preaching the sermon, but it's so disrespectful to God that you don't revere His teachings, honor Him in worship, and repsect the people He called to lead and teach you. As a teacher, I have a low tolerance for people who constantly talk, distract, and disrupt. It shows a lack of repsect for me, but more than that, a lack for God.

Everyone talks or asks a question or something at times, that's not what I'm talking about, there's a big difference in making a comment ever so often and carrying a conversation the entire service or lesson. Why even bother coming to church? Why come if you don't want to learn? You may have never looked at it this way before, but you are definitely NOT showing God reverence and you are not showing Him respect when you act this way at church services.
God's Word being taught and preached is serious business. If a person is not a christian or new to church, then they have an excuse, but they will learn, but those of us saved, know better, we just disobey. Being a christian can and should be fun and church services and programs should be enjoyable, but when you do not show respect and reverence to God through your attitude, actions, and participation, you missed the point of coming to church and I'm not sure you really are committed to God or your faith? God will know you by your fruit, but you can't produce fruit if don't grow any. You can't grow any if you don't listen, participate, and/or are distruptive, disrespectul, and distracting.

You can't learn if you don't listen, you can't grow if you don't participate, you can't lead if you can't follow, and you might possibly be distracting someone who wants to learn, listen, grow, and mature in their faith. God deserves more than just pew warmers, seat fillers, and warm bodies. He needs people filled with the Holy Spirit, He needs warm hearts, and He needs people to listen, learn, love, and live out their faith.

It's time we all start showing alot more reverence and respect for God if we already know Him and have a relationship with Him. I'm not talking about honoring traditions or pleasing people, I'm talking about holding in high regard His word, His worship, His teachers, and His Presence! Not only at church, but in our personal lives away from church. Make the effort and really get serious about showing God how much you do Respect and Revere HIM in your life!

"Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will be better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God." Ecclesiastes 8:12(NIV)

"He who scorns instruction will pay for it, be he who respects a command is rewarded."
Proverbs 13:13(NIV).