Consumed with Reverence

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

So, what can we expect as we come to God with the open hearts of little children, in awe and reverence of His holiness?

The apostle Paul tells us to expect that God, who made light shine out of darkness at the beginning of time, is at work making his light shine in our hearts today. His aim is for us to possess the knowledge of the glory of God, His glory. His gift to us was Jesus in whose face that glory was made clear.

Just think of the benefit we have with the advent of Christ. All those Old Testament heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and more—were still living by faith when they died (Hebrews 11:13). We have had the privilege of seeing the glory of God in the face of Jesus. After all, Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3).

Ah, so God brought His very glory to light in the face of Christ. Yes, God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). We are privy to the character of the Father lived out in the life of the Son. For us, Jesus is the true light that gives light to every man (John 1:9).

Not only do we see God in Jesus. By the cross Christ made us acceptable to the glorious Father. And then Jesus left the Holy Spirit in His place. Our knowledge of how to live to give God the glory is exponentially increased. Our worship is our response to God for who He is and what He does.

Given the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, how can we not be consumed with reverence!

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV Translation 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted