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seekinghokmah
Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:18 pm


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It was my intention to address these issues from a hypothetical perspective, I in no way desire to place my own opinion above another’s or berate anyone for not being on a higher spiritual level than the currently are. If I gave a negative impression I sincerely apologize.
The focus of my argument, in hopes of spurring us all on to greater heights as family in the Lord, is to address what I see as a potentially dangerous trend in attitude toward God. As previously stated; how we approach Him is of great significance…to us and our potential to relate to God on a truly intimate level, as opposed to a fallaciously intimate level based more in ignorance and self-delusion. I am merely suggesting that true intimacy with God requires more than a big smile and the best of intentions.

The scriptures themselves repeatedly speak of approaching God with reverence and fear, and by fear it means reverence and respect coupled with awe…not terror or concern that He may squash us like insolent bugs. If we treat fire with a lack of respect we risk being severely burned, not because fire is malevolent but because it is intense and powerful. God will not deliberately burn us, but He has placed certain causal consequences in operation that require a certain degree of common sense on our part.

I am suggesting that there is an inherent danger to our potential for spiritual growth and genuine intimacy in approaching God in a flippant manner. You are absolutely correct in asserting that we will always find ourselves in varying degrees of immaturity relative to God, but who determines when it is too difficult to move further forward? Is it us or God? The danger of complacency and laziness arises when WE try to determine these things for ourselves rather than allowing God to challenge us to our true potential. If we sit in judgment of our own spiritual capabilities we will inevitably take the easier road. The very fact that so many of us desire to defend our right to call God our “buddy” is, in my humble opinion, a telling indicator as to why Christianity today seems to reside in such a spiritual void of infancy. 

Talking to God as a friend can indeed be a positive thing, and I am not arguing against that…rather I am suggesting that this approach must be coupled with reverence and awe as well…not in place of it.

It is my assertion that one of the key factors in the miraculous survival of the Jewish people, in spite of their long periods devoid of a physical homeland, the countless attempts to annihilate and oppress them, and their innate desire to survive at any cost…is precisely related to their extreme reverence for God. An observant Jew will not even shred a piece of paper with God’s name on it, let alone refer to Him in common rhetoric. We stand to learn a lot from God’s chosen nation.

In defense of your own statements, the great rabbi known as the Baal Shem Tov also recommended communicating with God in a more conversational manner, but this was in no way the only element of his recommended approach to the creator. This is where I fear many of us as Christians often go astray; we too easily forget who we are really speaking to when we do this, and end up forsaking such reverence as would actually draw us even closer to Him. 

Do we desire to relate to Him as a “buddy” because we have already attained such intimacy as to feel comfortable with Him? I hope I am never arrogant enough to presume as much. I hope I am never too comfortable relating to Him for fear of losing any degree of reverence for Him.

Do we desire Him as a “buddy” because the alternative is despair? I doubt He would ever wish that upon us. But it is imperative that we constantly examine our own motives to ensure that we are indeed NOT simply seeking an easier road. That would inevitably rob us of great spiritual treasures.

With love and respect, s.h.