God is not a politician. He's not a democratically elected leader.
He is King. He is Lord. He is a Ruler.
Not by election, but by right. By preeminence. Because no one is greater. No one outranks God!
As Americans we don't have a very positive view of monarchy. We don't like foreign powers, or anyone really, telling us what to do. We don't want to fight other people's wars, though we often do because we like being in charge and in control. We view taxation as unfair when we don't feel we have representation in the political spectrum.
But the Church is not a democracy. The Church is a monarchy. (I'm choosing not to refer to it as a Theocracy because that is defined as
government by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. A monarchy in comparison is
a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch. In this case, actually lodged.) Only instead of being Lord of a region, or King of a country, an Empire, or a Commonwealth-Which-Used-to-Be-An-Empire, GOD is King of the UNIVERSE. Preeminent. Paramount. Supreme. Sovereign.
So what words are used to describe God, and what do they mean?
God: the supreme or ultimate Being, perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness.
King: one that holds a preeminent position; ruler for life.
Majesty: the greatness and dignity of a sovereign, supreme authority or power.
Lord: one having authority over others; ruler by right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due.
Sovereign: one possessing and exercising supreme power and authority.
Supreme: highest in rank or authority.
Preeminence: paramount rank; superior
Meeting a Head of State is a matter of protocol.
As Americans, we are not obligated to bow to foreign Heads, but some of us could, out of respect or courtesy.
How do we approach the God of the Universe?
You might be saying, but God is also my Father! He wants us to be like little children...and children don't give a fig for protocol.
Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:4-5
But wait, what is this child doing? Humbling himself?
Humble: not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.
Deference: respect and esteem due to an elder or superior.
Do we approach God with humble hearts and deference? Or are we arrogant, making demands when things go wrong, and ignoring Him when things are going well? Remember, God is not a NOMINAL monarch, but an ACTUAL monarch. He's not a petite elderly 87 year old great-grandparent monarch. He's a WARRIOR-KING. Read the next verse in Matthew:
But whoever causes on of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
He takes his position seriously. He takes his relationship with YOU seriously. Do you take HIM seriously?
Here's an example of what it looks like when God is not taken seriously:
http://www.dennyburk.com/presbyterian-church-u-s-a-rejects-popular-hymn-in-christ-alone-because-of-wrath/
The Presbyterian Church USA believes that God is Love, but does not want to recognize that God is also our Judge, that He can get angry, and that sin is disgusting to Him.
Nevermind that the lyric says the wrath of God was SATISFIED by Jesus' death on the cross. Some people in the American Church don't want a wrathful God. But as the author states,
Any formulation of deity that excludes God’s justice and wrath against sin is not the God of the Bible. A wrathless god shorn of His justice is no god worth worshipping. Nor is he a god able to convict and save sinners. When wrath is taken away, so is the gospel. And that is why this discussion matters.
I've discovered this week that while I know that God is the Creator of All, and I acknowledge Him as Lord & Savior, I really don't live like I truly fear God.
I'm not talking about frightened fear. That is the type Paul is referring to when he tells Timothy:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.2 Timothy 1:7
The fear of God is what leads to knowledge:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.Proverbs 9:10
The man who fears God will be led in God’s ways. (Psalm 25:12-13)
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.Proverbs 14:26
Fearing God is respecting Him, giving Him the place of glory, honor, reverence, thanksgiving, praise and preeminence He deserves; esteeming Him and His desires over and above our own.--John Bevere, Breaking Intimidation
The fear of the Lord is relating to God as Lord, King, and Sovereign. The fear of the Lord is giving Him the respect due Him because of His majesty and preeminence. It's taking Him seriously, believing He will do what He says. Recognizing and submitting to His authority. Learning to hear and obey His voice. Caring about His opinion over the opinion of friends, family, and people on the street.
You will not be afraid of man if you fear God! The fear of God swallows up all lesser fears.
The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?Hebrews 13:6
Aslan a man! said Mr. Beaver sternly. Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion--THE Lion, the Great Lion.
Ooh! said Susan. I'd thought he was a man. Is he--quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.
That you will, dearie, and no mistake, said Mrs. Beaver; if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly.
Then he isn't safe? said Lucy.
Safe? said Mr. Beaver; don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe! But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.
I'm longing to see him, said Peter, even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.
That's right, Son of Adam, said Mr. Beaver, ...and so you shall. Word has been sent that you are to meet him, tomorrow if you can, at the Stone Table.
What about poor Mr. Tumnus? said Lucy.
The quickest way you can help him is by going to meet Aslan, said Mr. Beaver, once he's with us, then we can begin DOING things.
