Revere the Lord

Do you ever think about reverence? What does it mean to revere something or someone? Some would say that reverence is showing the proper respect or honor to a worthy object. What objects are worthy of our reverence. Here are a few people and places worthy of respect:

• God (Ex. 20:1-11; Deut. 5:6-15; Ps. 33:8-9; Heb. 12:28-29)
• God's sanctuary (Lev. 19:30; 1 Cor. 3:16-17)
• God's commandments (Ps. 119:48)
• Our fathers and mothers (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Lev. 19:3; Heb. 12:9)
• Government leaders [by extension military and law enforcement] (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:17)
• Church leaders (1 Tim. 3:2, 8; 5:17; Heb. 13:17)
• Other believers (Rom. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:17)

Paul reminds us that God is an object, that is, a focal point, worthy of infinite reverence. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul states, "since we have these promises." The promise that he addresses are found in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. They can be summarized as:

• He will live with us.
• He will walk with us.
• He will be our God.
• We will be his people.
• We will be his children.

These promises speak to the hope of returning to Edenic perfection. Mankind has a deep, innate yearning for the return to perfection. Mankind once existed in a perfect state in the Garden of Eden prior to the fall of Adam.

We want to return to that state. However, we cannot. We live in a state that doesn't permit us to enter into the presence of the Lord without the aid of a Mediator. The promises Paul alludes to in 2 Corinthians 7:1, all point to the fulfillment of that hope. In Christ, we will experience a future with no death, no exile, no sin, and no separation from God. We'll no longer be east of Eden.

Instead, we will experience belonging, love, care, and protection. God will be with us. We will be able to behold his glory in Christ Jesus, and he will wipe away every tear from our eyes. We will be given new bodies that are not subject to death, disease, or decay.

Until that day, we must strive to show God our reverence. Paul gives us the shape of reverence. We must "purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit," and we need to perfect holiness.

To purify ourselves of all contaminates suggests removing the things in our lives that draw us away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. The author of Hebrews says something similar in Hebrews 12:1-3, when he tells us to throw off the weights and sins that easily entangle us, and to focus on Christ.

Perfecting holiness is the continual practice of walking in obedience to the Lord. Peter helps us to develop a plan for holy living in 2 Peter 1:3-11. God gives us what we need to live godly lives. We just have to pursue it with faith.

As followers of Christ we must heed Peter's warning, "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives in reverent fear." We labor for his glory, knowing that Christ has secured our way.