A GREAT NEED AMONG US: MORE REVERENCE

“Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (HEBREWS 12:28).

The theory held in some churches seems to be that if the service is unplanned the Holy Spirit will work freely. Now that would be true if all the worshipers were reverent and Spirit-filled. But mostly there is neither order nor Spirit, just a routine prayer that is, except for minor variations, the same week after week, and a few songs that were never much to start with and have long ago lost all significance by meaningless repetition!

 

We of the non-liturgical churches [all Christian churches do not have the same program] tend to look with some disdain upon those churches that follow a carefully prescribed form of service, and certainly there must be a good deal in such services that has little or no meaning for the average participant—this not because it is carefully prescribed but because the average participant is what he is.

 

The liturgical service is at least beautiful, carefully worked out through the centuries to preserve a spirit of reverence among the worshipers. In many of our meetings there is scarcely a trace of reverent thought, no recognition of the unity of the body, little sense of the divine Presence, no moment of stillness, no solemnity, no wonder, no holy fear!

 

The whole Christian family stands desperately in need of a restoration of penitence, humility and tears. May God send them soon!

 

 

  1. W. Tozer