The Essence of Intentional Reverence
In a world brimming with distractions and fleeting pursuits, the concept of intentional reverence stands as a beacon for the faithful. Giving the Creator God the reverence, attention, and consideration He is due is not a passive acknowledgment but an active, deliberate choice. This intentional reverence calls us to prioritize our relationship with God amidst the chaos of modern life. Drawing from Ephesians 5:15-16, which admonishes, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil,” we are reminded that time is a precious commodity to be redeemed for eternal purposes. By intentionally honoring God, we move beyond superficial faith to a deep faith that transforms and reshapes our daily existence. Let’s look at Honoring God in an Evil Age.
Recognizing God’s Sovereign Majesty
The Creator God, as revealed in Scripture, is the architect of the universe, infinitely worthy of our deepest respect. From the opening verses of Genesis, where He speaks creation into being, to the prophetic visions in Isaiah portraying His throne high and lifted up, God’s majesty demands more than just casual notice. The theologian Augustine said in his book “Confessions,” our hearts are restless until they rest in Him, underscoring our need for deliberate focus. Intentional reverence begins with acknowledging this sovereignty, not as an abstract truth, but as a personal reality that compels us to set aside time for worship and reflection, countering the secular distractions that dilutes our spiritual acuity.
Moving Beyond Intellectual Recognition
Mere intellectual recognition of God—knowing about Him through doctrine or philosophy—falls short of the faith Scripture describes. Thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas distinguished between faith as assent and faith as a lived commitment, urging believers toward the latter. Ephesians 5:15-16 challenges us to walk “not as fools, but as wise,” implying that wisdom involves applying knowledge heartfeltly. This shift requires intentional practices like prayer and meditation, transforming head knowledge into heart devotion, where God’s presence becomes the guiding force rather than a distant concept.
Embracing Humility in Reverence
Humility serves as the foundation for genuine reverence, stripping away pride that blinds us to God’s greatness. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:5-8, models this through Christ’s own humility in incarnation and crucifixion, inviting us to adopt a similar mindset. Intentional reverence involves submitting our egos to divine authority. In evil days, as Ephesians warns, humility guards against folly, enabling us to redeem time by prioritizing God’s will over self-centered ambitions.
Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
Gratitude elevates reverence from duty to delight, turning our attention to God’s boundless gifts. The Psalms, particularly Psalm 100, exhort us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving.” By intentionally practicing gratitude we deepen our consideration of the Creator. Blending this with Ephesians 5:16’s imperative to redeem time, gratitude becomes a wise response to evil’s encroachments, fostering resilience and joy that align our lives with God’s plan of redemption.
Aligning Life with Divine Purposes
True reverence manifests in aligning our lives with God’s purposes, as seen in the prophetic call of Jeremiah 29:11 for plans of hope and prosperity. Theologians like John Calvin emphasized predestination not as fatalism but as motivation for holy living, urging intentional pursuit of God’s kingdom. Walking circumspectly, per Ephesians, means discerning and pursuing these purposes amid moral decay, redeeming time through service, evangelism, and ethical decisions that reflect Christ’s light in a darkened world.
Honoring God in an Evil Age
Finally, the evil of our days—marked by moral relativism, conflict, and spiritual apathy—heightens the urgency of intentional reverence. As C.S. Lewis observed in “The Screwtape Letters,” distractions are tools of the adversary, making Ephesians 5:15-16 a timely exhortation to wise living. By redeeming time through deliberate acts of worship, study, and obedience, we honor God not sporadically but consistently, ensuring our heartfelt response endures. Honoring God in an Evil Age culminates in a life of profound fulfillment, where reverence becomes the rhythm of our redeemed existence.
Related: The Wonderful Jesus the Christ