Serving Acceptably

As I read Hebrews 12: 25 through 29 concerning God shaking heaven and earth, I pause on verse 28 - "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." There is often a void in the teachings of todays churches about the concept of serving God with reverence and godly fear.

John Wesley penned in his journal, recorded between October 14, 1735 through November 29, 1745, that he understood the shaking referred to in this passage to be in this context, "This universal shaking began at the first coming of Christ. It will be consummated at His second coming." (see Haggai 2: 6, 7) Just reading this passagae in Hebrews 12 causes me to shake. The absence of reverence and godly fear in the Body of Christ is astonishing. Wesley's input on verse 28 follows: "Therefore let us, receiving - By willful and joyful faith. A kingdom - More glorious than the present heaven and earth. Hold fast the grace, whereby we may serve God- In every thought, word, and work. With reverence - Literally, with shame arising from a deep consciousness of our own unworthiness. And godly fear - A tender, jealous fear of offending, arising from a sense of the gracious majesty of God."

Daily living with a tender, jealous fear of offending God is rarely observed in the present worldview exhibited in the marketplace, the home, and even in many church communities. "Why is it that believers look like unbelievers? Well, "everybody else does it," is often our rationale. A healthy fear of offending God should prompt us to think twice about where we go, who we chose as friends, and what we watch and read.