Irreverence

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The sin of irreverence is well known due to its continuing popularity among mankind. It is worth studying because it reveals a basic mode of thinking and behavior common to those who reject Yahweh.

Taken from (1 Timothy 1:9), the word ασεβεσ, translated "ungodly," comes from the negative prefix α and a root verb meaning "to revere."

I put this sin under the Blasphemy section because of how they are related. In the Law, where God forbids the taking of His Name "in vain" (Exodus 20:1), we must also look deeper into the text. The phrase in Hebrew, לא תשׂא את־שׁם־יהוה אלהיך לשׁוא, is more accurately translated, "you shall not lift up the Name of Yahweh your God to desolation." We have the picture of raising His Name, but not for good nor glory; rather it is a lifting up of His Name for ruin or waste.

Together these two pictures show us what God did not want His people Israel to do. Because He alone was God, there was none like Him. His power and lovingkindness knew no bounds. He therefore should rightly be lifted up among His creation appropriately. His Name should not be used vainly, to bring His memorial to desolation, for He was Creator.

Irreverence is closely related to other works of the flesh, against which we are cautioned: foolish talking and jesting (Ephesians 5:3-4). That phrase "foolish talking" comes from two Greek words, one meaning "dull, stupid" (μωρος, where we get our word "moron" or "moronic") and the other meaning "to speak" (from the noun form, λογος, meaning "word").

How common is such, that of "moronic words"? It is the basis of most forms of humor in today's world and is coveted by people as a trait to be honored. And this is connected to "jesting," which can be also be translated "quick-witted" or "sarcastic." These actions are not to be named among God's saints, according to Paul. Seeing that irreverence, especially toward God, is forbidden, one can now understand why.

These kinds of actions are opposite of God, Who is long-suffering, willing to receive those who sin against Him, not with punishment but with a celebration of their return! Yahweh, being love, is patient and kind, is not proud and does not behave inappropriately. He is wise and has all knowledge, rather than being dull or stupid. He is slow to bring people's ways upon their own heads, rather desiring to wait until they repent. All that He is contrasts with irreverence.

As we imitate Him as His children after being born by His Spirit through our belief in His Son, we should naturally begin to show forth this aspect of His nature as well.

1Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

He showed, through the Law of Moses, that mere desire cannot effect it. The children of Israel could not live up to this high goal of not blaspheming, of not being irreverant. This was because they had not come to Yahweh in faith but continued to seek other gods rather than accept Him as He was. For this, God gave them Law, because of their sin (Galatians 3:19).

The people of this world, who glory in their own wisdom, are revealed to be truly foolish, dull, stupid (1 Corinthians 1:20-21) (1 Corinthians 3:19). In their stupidity, they are quick to make fun of the things of God, simply not understanding them. Because they walk according to "moronic speaking" and "quick-wittedness," they are sure to be blind to the truth of God.

Let us then, who have received God's Son and His nature as new-born children, not walk according to such ways. Let us not be irreverant in speech or action, but rather show ourselves true, patient, kind, ready and willing to share the love and knowledge of Yahweh. Walking according to this sin will cause us to miss the revelation of God, and risk completely wandering from His light wherein our deliverance lies. So awaken from the stupor of irreverence to the glory of love in truth.

34Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34

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The Good Message

As you read this site, you will hopefully come to know Yahweh more fully.

But all of this continuing knowledge is useless unless and until you come into union with Him. I use the word union because it is truly a marriage. It is that deep connection we all seek, for which we most often look in other people. However, the truth is that our hearts will only be fulfilled when we enter that union in fullness with the One Who made us.

This is the grace of God, that He has not stayed distant for us only to worship as Creator. But He has come unto us, even become one of us—in His Son, Christ Jesus—in order to share an intimate union with us. He desires such closeness that it truly will envelope our entire life, transforming us into something new and wonderful.

You may have already entered this union with Him and only seek to know Him better through reading here. But if you have not, as you do read, let this Gospel sink into your heart as you read it now.

God loves you, and has cast your sins into the sea. He has sent His only Son as the Savior of the world—that includes you.

That Son, Jesus Christ, was born as a man through a virgin who had given her life to Yahweh; He lived without sin, reflected the glory of His Father, God, in all His words and deeds, and was persecuted even unto death because of it.

His death upon a cross was the powerful explosion that separated you from your life of death. It remains for you, now, to enter into that death with Him. As you die to the one you are now, a person separated from God from your many sins, you will be born anew, with a nature predisposed to live rightly. This gift is free to you, with nothing you can do to earn it. It is the mercy of God to offer it to you, as He loves you so much! All you must do is receive it by trusting Him to have delivered you. Simply place your life in His hands and embrace the freedom that came through that death on the cross.

The Gospel is that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again on the third day after His crucifixion! Death could not hold Him, as He was without sin. And so death will not be able to hold you, as you identify with Him fully through your trust in Him. Let go of yourself and confess Him as Lord of your life. The power of His death and resurrection will work in you all that your Creator has destined for you. You will truly enter a new life and experience that intimate union you have been seeking all of your life.

So ponder these words as you read here of this great God—Yahweh—and all that He has revealed to His creation. Let His Spirit testify to your heart that these words are true, that God is Love, and that He sent His Son so that you might receive the life that is unbound by time and space. As you feel that witness in your heart, simply believe and receive what He is offering to you, even now, and begin your new life as a child of God.

Please write to me and let me know when you take this step, as I will be your brother in Christ—we will be one in Him!