The Conflicting Nature of Christianity, Part #8

  Acknowledging God
And
Trivializing God

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Two elderly ladies were chatting in the check out line at the local grocery.  One was depressed because her SNAP card had not been approved.  She was admonished by the other lady to, "hold on your miracle is coming."    The promise of a miracle disrupted the checkout procedure as both ladies began to publicly acknowledge God an get their praise on.   Many of the patrons tried to maintain a straight face and pretend nothing was going on, while others gawked and giggled.  

As I walked out of the grocery store a young lady got my attention by addressing me as if she knew me.  How have you been doing, she asked?  You are looking well, she added, before I could reply.  I am well, it's been touch an go for a while, I responded, still racking my brains 'so to speak' as to where do I know this young lady from.  How are you doing? I asked.  I am well, thanks be to God.  God is so good, he touched me with a finger of love and cause me to wake up this morning.   Impressed by her testimony I hesitated long enough for her to size me up an hook me, she added, "you act as if you don't know me."   

After the incident was over, hindsight was twenty-twenty.  It was doubtful if she or I had ever met What she wanted from me was a ride home and a six pack of beer.  Robbery was probably in her plans also.  To achieve her ends she played on "old folks" respect for the name of God.  According to her, God had put her in that position and at that time so that we would meet.  Who was I to say God was not directing her path?  Though hard at first I finally began to call it for what it was, "people pimping the name of God for fame, glory and money" 

How often have you heard someone say, God told me to tell you, or I have a message from God, and you are left wondering, why would God say that? I am often reminded of the big city preacher coming home to a little country church to run a revival.  He would 'WOW' the congregation by delivering messages from God.   Often during his message he would stop and proclaim that God said, "there is someone in here with a headache," God said, "come up here and get your healing."   It was the fear of God that prevented the righteous from calling it what it was.  A sideshow act designed to bring glory and honor to the speaker.  

Now the readers of the above scripture can easily assume that it implies that every move or decision we make, we should implore the name of God.  It began in the church as a simple act of adoration for God.  "How are you, I am blessed," became the mainstay greeting between the saints of God.  The English translation of a Greek phrase seems to indicate that when we wake up in the morning, we should acknowledge God.  Every step we take on the way to the bathroom should verbally acknowledge God.   When we step up to the counter in the fast food restaurant to place our order, do we preface our order with an acknowledge to God?  What does it mean, to acknowledge God?  In the same context, what does it mean to trivialize the name of God. Does to acknowledge means a verbal acclimation that can be heard by others or does it mean a an acclimation that can be seen and heard by God?   Maybe the context  of the scripture should be set by Jesus. In an English translation of a Hebrew statement, Jesus said in Matthew 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Now I pose a more serious question, 

At this point you ought to ask yourself what do we have that is Holy, is it our words, our lives, or even our money? 

What does God require of us?

First, let's take a look at several meanings of the word acknowledge.

1. To recognize the rights, authority, or status of: from a religious view point this ought to be acceptable
2. To disclose knowledge of, or agreement with
3. To express gratitude or obligation for <acknowledging a gift>
4. To take notice of <failed to acknowledge my greeting>
5. To recognize as genuine or valid <acknowledge a debt>

Based upon these definitions we can conclude that acknowledge means to express knowledge of and act or deed.  Now, as we proceed, we must accept the understanding of the scripture can vary based upon what indoctrinated views we wish to defend.  Acknowledging God can range from the application of blood on the door post to standing on the street corner preaching the word of God.  David seems to agree with this concept when he wrote in Psalms 105:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Who was talking, who was he talking to and what was the subject being addressed should play an important part in, Understanding the Word of God.

Now when we come to the New Testament here we have Jesus telling those that have been a recipient of his great power to go and tell no one.  Mark 3:12  And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.  Was Jesus being critical of those who made a public display of their belief in God In Matthew 6:5 , he said, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."  Remember those prayer warriors, the ones we said really could pray?  Jesus said, "they have their reward."

The word that comes into play at this point is trivialized.  To trivialize is to make something seem less important, significant or complex than it really is.  The overuse of a word or phrase is to trivialize that word or phrase.  It seems as if God was concerned about the over use of his name  in Exodus 20:7  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  'Take in vain;' the highest violation of this command is seen by most as false swearing. But it also prohibits every light and irreverent use of God's name. Nor hold him guiltless; if we trivialize the name of God, he will view and treat that person as he truly is, exceedingly guilty and deserving divine displeasure.

In essence, to use the name of God in a profane, light, or irreverent manner, or to mention it without good reason, tends to lessen the reverence which the soul ought to feel for him, to render it reckless and increasingly wicked, and is a flagrant offense against the Ruler of the universe.  

Our music and our worship have evolved, has God evolved?  The Sunday morning parade of 'messengers' from God with their conflicting and self-serving messages of hope, do little to promote the will of God.  

What does God require of us? This is a question that all of the old patriarch has had to deal with. Those that begged God to manifest his will within their lives was able to provide us with the best answer.   Jesus prayed in  Matthew 6:10 ...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

Paul said in  Romans 12:1 said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." 

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A final point to ponder, Matthew 5:44-46  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

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That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.