Our Lord is so worthy of adoration, praise, and the utmost respect. The world has always had less than respectful esteem of the Lord. They use His name as a curse word, to damn others, to express anger and other emotions. He is viewed as some sort of genie or the man upstairs they say grace to. The way the world disrespects the Lord comes as no surprise. What is becoming more prevalent in evangelical Christian circles is a cavalier attitude toward the first and second persons of the Trinity. This attitude has no place in the life of a Christian. If we could see a veiled glimpse of God’s glory as Moses or the apostle John did, we’d lose the disrespect and fall on our faces in complete reverent worship.
The world’s low esteem of our Lord is nothing new, so I want to focus on the same condition, inside the church. This disrespect for the Lord can be expressed in our words or attitudes. I’m not addressing this problem from a legalistic standpoint. I understand our young people getting fired up and wearing respectful t-shirts or jewelry from the local Christian bookstore. We should praise God for our young people and their zeal and desire more of that zeal. They are excited about their faith and wearing a scripture or evangelistic slogan on clothing is another way of sharing the gospel and love for the Lord. I wear wristbands from some of the events I’ve attended and people will ask about them, it’s another great opportunity to discuss eternal matters.
What I’m addressing here is the silly, immature, tasteless religious marketing and jargon that is prevalent in some Christian circles and the casual heart attitude of some in the body.
Why? Because I’m aware some believers are on ‘spiritual cruise control’ and floating down the “lukewarm” river of life and I want to lovingly admonish you to drop the Precious Moments version of Christianity and exchange it for a bold on-fire walk with the living God you are made for. That is a powerful witness and the one a desperate dark world needs.
I have seen bobblehead Jesus. Shirts saying, “God is a Republican” make their appearance around election season. Both young and old sport, “Jesus is My Homeboy” shirts. There is the classic, “Try Jesus…if you don’t like Him, satan will take you back ” bumper sticker. What do we think when we address Jesus in the same manner we’d speak to a golf buddy? Why would a believer refer to him as JC ? Using Christianese buzzwords or lingo isn’t being bold for the Lord. We can’t afford a casual attitude toward the living God. Yes, God is good all the time. Yes, he’s on the throne. Yes, he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but he’s not our peer, he’s holy.
He didn’t save you so you would become a robot spewing religious jargon. He saved you to bring glory to his name and boldly proclaim his truth. If you call yourself a Christian I want you to understand that God is not your pal. He’s not some South park cartoon character. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He deserves nothing less than your complete reverence, honor, and praise. He isn’t some old guy up there in a rocking chair to waiting to jump up at your every beck and call. This cavalier attitude is the result of a growing number of evangelical churches elevating people, instead of elevating Jesus for decades now. This life is not about you, it’s about him!
It really comes down to perspective and relationship. Regarding perspective: How we view ourselves and God will shape our attitude toward Him. If we view Him as our buddy, pal, or fun uncle and casually approach Him, we have a distorted perspective. Regarding relationship: If He is someone who we call on from time to time when needs arise and then quickly dismiss when the crisis passes, he is more like a genie or Santa clause, than our Lord, isn’t He? Let’s look at some truths from the Bible to see God the Father and the Lord Jesus from a proper perspective:
Exodus 15:11 Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? -Moses
Job 37:5 God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things we cannot comprehend. 37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. -Elihu (Job’s friend)
Psalm 96:9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. -David
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. -Solomon
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. -John the Baptist
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation. For by him, all things were created, in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. -Paul (Referring to Jesus)
Revelation 4:8 “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” -Four creatures around the throne
I believe if we had a realistic view of the Lordship of Jesus and the absolute splendor of God the Father, it would transform the way we approach him. He is elevated in our hearts because we know he is God. It would transform the way we read his word. The Bible will come alive because his word is always true. It would transform the way we worship him. Once we humble ourselves before him and ascribe glory from our mouths, hands, and hearts, he will inhabit our praises. A realistic view of our God will literally transform our daily walk with him. Taking up our cross, doing his will, and loving as he loves will be possible because his Spirit lives within us. Thinking about your faith; the distorted view of Jesus as a weak, soft, tepid man does not build faith in one’s heart. However, seeing Jesus clothed in amazing glory on his throne in heaven and interceding on our behalf puts faith in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
If you are a Christian, hold the name above all names in utmost honor. God our Father and our Lord Jesus are glorious, awesome, and holy. Let’s esteem them as such in our hearts, mind, speech, work, ministry, and daily lives. Elevating the Lord to his rightful place in our life helps us take our proper place with humility, gladness, and praise. I have not always done this and now I long to live each new day living as a Jesus follower, not a ‘me’ follower.
Friend, please call out to him if you don’t know Jesus as your Savior. Ask for forgiveness and confess him as your Lord. He’s not the man upstairs, a genie, a force, just a historical figure, he is God. If you confess and believe in him, he will forgive you and give you a clean heart. You will be adopted into his family and you will have the right to call him your heavenly Father. He loves you so much and is pursuing your heart even as you read this article. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t wait, because Jesus is coming and his righteous judgment will fall on this planet very soon.
God’s name is not a curse word. Jesus’ name is not an outburst of emotion. His name is not to be the punch line for jokes. These names are not just names in a sea of other (gods) or beliefs. The breath of life in your lungs, the delicate balance of life on earth, and the eternal judgment of every soul past, present, and future are in the hand of Jesus. He is our shepherd, strong tower, refuge, and Lord.
In western culture, when (most) people Christian or non-Christian get into a life-threatening or desperate situation, who do they call on? They don’t plead: Buddha help me, Mohammed help me, Confucius help me, or 401k help me. They cry out: God help me or Jesus help me! There is awesome power in His name! Christians should always exalt him and glorify the name above all names.
All for the glory of Jesus’ name!
Howard
