Too Casual?

Last evening I was reminded of just how casual our society has become. Sharon had ordered a DVD set for her mother titled, Reminisce Through the Decades - The 1940s. I made a comment to my wife at one point when a group of guys were playing tag football in their back yard ... and each of the young men was wearing a tie! But back in those days, it was common for men to wear ties almost around the clock (just watch a I Love Lucy episode and take a look at how Ricky dresses as he is just "chillin" around the house!). My how things have changed. Oh there are still times when men and women get "dressed up" - weddings and funerals for example. And there are still some professionals who also routinely wear their suits - like bankers, attorneys and professional athletes. But for the most part, men so rarely wear ties that many don't even know how to tie one! Business attire as been replaced by "business casual" attire for most offices. We have become a casual society.

I often wonder how this "casualness" of our society in general has impacted our view and approach to God. Have we become too casual in our relationship with Him? I am currently reading through the book, Alone with God: Rediscovering the Power and Passion of Prayer by John MacArthur. In writing about the petition in the Lord's Prayer, "Hallowed be Your Name," MacArthur quotes a Welsh pastor by the name of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who pastored Westminster Chapel in London from 1939-1968. Listen to what this great Bible teacher of yesteryear wrote about the use of God's name:

"What unworthy ideas and notions this world has of God! If you test your ideas of God by the teaching of the Scriptures you will see at a glance what I mean. We lack even a due sense of the greatness and the might and the majesty of God. Listen to men arguing about God, and notice how glibly they use the term . . . It is indeed almost alarming to observe the way in which we all tend to use the name of God. We obviously do not realize that we are talking about the ever blessed, eternal, and absolute, almighty God. There is a sense in which we should take our shoes off our feet whenever we use the name."

MacArthur then continues with his own comments:

"When believers have a low view of God, everything focuses on meeting felt needs within the body of Christ. When the church adopts such a perspective, it often offers people nothing more than spiritual placebos. It centers on psychology, self-esteem, entertainment, and a myriad of other diversions to attempt to meet perceived and felt needs. It is essential, however, that the church and each individual believer in it understand that they exist to bring glory to God. When you know and glorify God, the needs of your life will be met. 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). But many believers don't revere God-their very actions prove their irreverence. Instead of trembling at God's Word, they twist His truths or supplant them with worldly philosophies."

My prayer is that we will all take a long hard look within and ask ourselves, "Do I truly FEAR God -- or have I grown too causal in my relationship with Him?"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj