Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
That verse always gave me such peace, knowing that I (the mess that I am) can approach God and know that He receives me through the blood of Jesus. But if we take these words lightly, and ignore their full meaning, we might be tempted to think we can now approach the throne of God casually… even flippantly.
And while we should bask in the AMAZING reality that the God of the universe calls us friend, we should not make the mistake of taking that lightly. Jesus is NOT your “home boy.” He is the LION of JUDAH. HE came as the Lamb and will return in all His glory as the Lion. Yet with a cup of cappuccino in one hand and a program in the other, I sing my songs to God. How dare I?
On this Super Bowl Sunday, chances are we will give more honor, reverence, and awe to a group of grown men (millionaires), dressed in tights, playing a child’s game, than we will to the Great I AM… the ALPHA…the OMEGA… the HOLY GOD of the universe.
Our tendency to become star-struck and enamored with celebrities and well-known personalities (even Christian personalities) is a direct testimony to our fascination with the false… the plastic… rather than that which is true… that which is real… that which is Holy. We forsake the Holy for the profane and justify it by calling it “entertainment” or a relaxing time. Such tendencies are at enmity with the ONE we should really be enamored with. And it is at HIS NAME that we should tremble… in holy reverence.
I can’t remember the last time I trembled like that. God have mercy on me. God have mercy on us all. “Aw, lighten up Wilkinson. It’s just fun.” I’m not against fun. Ask my wife… I’m a complete goofball. But I can’t remember the last time I was fascinated by a celebrity… a professional musician… or a Christian personality. They simply don’t do it for me. They’re just people… like me… subject to the same joys and temptations. They use a toilet just like I do.
Why then do we often give them more respect and reverence than He who is worthy of such honor? My guess is that if one of the Green Bay Packers were to have walked into this morning’s church gathering, that hearts would begin to palpitate… adrenaline would begin to surge... imaginations would soar… and all attention would be upon him….and probably not because people were excited about the possibility that he might be repenting and giving his life to God.
We need to turn from such idolatry. I’m not saying we need to give up enjoying music, or watching sporting events. We just need to keep them in their proper perspective, and reserve our heart palpitations… our surges of adrenaline… our blushing… our wide-eyed expressions… our roaring cheers and emotional outcries…our TREMBLING…for the only ONE who is worthy of such things.
I agree, Mike; wholeheartedly agree. Probably one of the reason I have lost any interest in our current culture...it just doesn't do anything for me. I would rather have my life be spent with God, my wife, my kids, and whoever God brings in to my life. A good book to read on this (imo) is "The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul (http://www.amazon.com/Holiness-God-R-C-Sproul/dp/0842339655/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1). I enjoyed it and thought it had a great perspective on "holy" and how we approach it.
ReplyDeleteDan Bentz