In America there has been a loss of the fear of God. As a whole the nation does not fear God anymore. People are willing to carry the name of Jesus but have no fear of God or what it really means to be a Christian. Churches are filled with people who know that they have sin in their lives but don’t care. Others justify sin as acceptable to God. Many of these same churches also allow and promote some of those sins as acceptable to God.
In the book of Samuel there is the story about the ark of the covenant. David was having it returned to Jerusalem to be reinstated in the tabernacle. As it was being moved along, it began to topple and was about to fall to the ground. Uzzah reached out to stop it from falling and touched the ark, which was against God’s commands. God immediately killed Uzzah on the spot for disrespect for what was holy.
David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the of the Lord come to me?” Do David would not move the ark of the Lord into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 2 Samuel 6:9-10
David had a good understanding of how holy God is and what He requires. He also understood that when a person sins against God it carried a death sentence.
Although God does not kill people normally on the spot for sins against Him, His standards have never changed. People love to talk about God and His great love, but get angry when one talks about His holiness, His requirements and His judgements.
Many are quick to point out the verse that Jesus said He did not come to judge the world, but to save it. At that point in time Jesus was not coming to judge. His whole purpose of coming to the earth the first time was to save the world. However, there is still a judgement that is coming. When He returns Jesus will judge every person for their actions, words and thoughts.
David knew that God was holy and demanded holiness. He knew God does not play around with sin. Although it appears that God does not judge sin and is compliant with sin in this sinful nation, God will judge.
Many people do not go to church on a regular basis or even pick up their bible to read it, yet still call themselves believers or Christians. These same people will also refuse to repent of their sins and turn away from sinful ways. They do not have a holy fear of God. They do not believe that God will judge them for their sins. They are willing to have the ark of the covenant (the name of Jesus) in their home, while living in sin.
Believers need to recognize how holy God is and the holiness that He demands of every person who claims His name. He has given His Holy Spirit to help the believer know how to live the holy life expected. The Holy Spirit will give one the power to overcome sin and turn from all temptation to sin.
David knew what God could and would do with sin. He wanted his life to be right before carrying the name of God on his life.
Jesus is waiting and ready to forgive you of all sin. The Holy Spirit is ready to cleanse you and make you into a new creation. Have a holy fear of God and give your whole life to God. Don’t just carry the name of Jesus and still live in sin.
Picture by Igor Rodrigues on Unsplash
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