August 1, 2025

Showing Reverence

Let’s discuss reverence towards God. Throughout the writing of the Old Testament, we see this mentioned multiple times. Deuteronomy 5 describes God instructing the Israelites on how to show proper reverence. This begins with the Ten Commandments and includes laws regarding purity, holiness, and worship. One of the purposes of these strict laws was to define holiness and impress upon them the necessity for reverence in the presence of God. What were the consequences of those who refrained from showing reverence? Let’s look at Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. They were consumed by fire for using unauthorized fire. This incident shows the importance of approaching God with proper reverence and respect for His commands, especially when it involves worship.

While we may no longer be under the old law, we are under the new Law of Liberty (James 2:12). So I ask, are we still obligated to give reverence to the Lord in worship and in our everyday lives? The answer would be YES. One way to show reverence for God is by learning how to truly worship Him. “God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and Truth” (John 4:24). We worship in spirit when our hearts are aligned with His will and in truth when our minds are engaged and filled with His words.

The last question I want to pose is this: What do our actions during worship say about our reverence for God? Say a brother or sister comes to Sunday worship and is playing a game on their phone, looking up items on Facebook Marketplace, or talking the entire time in the lobby. Are they giving reverence to God as they should? While sometimes these situations may be uncomfortable, we are taught to correct and train in the ways of righteousness so that we can be equipped as servants of God (2 Timothy 3:15-16).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Please remember, God is always watching, and we will always be an influence on those around us, good or bad. Let your influence be an instrument in positively changing the way someone holds reverence for God. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death” (James 5:20).

About Jeff Snyder

Jeff was born in Bolivar, TN and shortly after, his family moved to Michigan. In 1972, his father’s job brought them to Knoxville. They lived in the Karns area where his mother, Jeff and siblings attended Karns church of Christ. Jeff was baptized in 1973 at the age of 12.After high school, he attended Freed Hardman College, where he met his wife, Candy. He graduated with a degree in Art in 1987. After college, they returned to Karns, where he worked for Whittle Communications in graphics and later for High Resolutions in graphics and commercial photography. Jeff also did wedding photography for 25 years as a side business. In 2005, he started a house painting company which continues to this day.Jeff has served on several mission trips to Honduras and St. Croix. In 2008, he began serving as a deacon with primary responsibility over outside maintenance. In 2023, he became an elder.Jeff and Candy have been married since 1987 and have three children: Jarrett (Sarah), Stacee (Zak), and Samantha (Jonathan). They have one grandson, Jasper.