Many years ago there was some what of a public debate concerning family life in America what involved child psychologists, parent groups, and eventually included Christian leaders and laity. It took on different forms and shapes, but essentially the discussion centered around one subject: undue familiarity between children and parents and between children and children within the home. This can be in relatively small things, to the most shocking occurrences of disrespect and abuse.
Specifics are unnecessary, but it has become abundantly evident that the undue intimacy proponents have won - be convincing many that that really is no such thing as "undue familiarity"!
At approximately the same time line as this occurred, there was also a tremendous growth within elements of Christianity that embraced the belief that there should be a more free-wheeling approach toward our relationship to God, and that Christians should "loosen up", and approach God as their "Big Buddy". The idea seemed to be that since they were saved by grace, and now free from condemnation, they were "free"... free from many former restraints, including due respect and "common" courtesies toward man AND GOD. Grace somehow had become a license to do as we please, especially in regard to God. After all, does He not love us unconditionally?
This undercurrent seems to have spread, very subtly at first, but eventually it progressed into the worship arena, affecting demeanor, teaching, worship modes, etc., until it has become the defining approach toward all relationships by many Christians. So much it seems in some cases, that one must wonder WHATEVER HAPPENED TO REVERENCE...?
Perhaps we should not be too surprised. The Apostle Jude predicted something very similar:
"For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." - Jude 1:4 (Amplified Bible).
Sometimes prayers seem to get no higher than the ceiling. Sometimes it seems that God is "far off". Most of us have heard this comment and experienced it ourselves. There is something that we all as God's children must understand. God is a great King. He is over all! He is the BOSS! He will NOT be "talked down to", made light of, or treated casually! Some speak OF God and TO God and Jesus the Christ in a way that often borders on mockery.(Galatians 6:7). There should be no UNDUE FAMILIARITY with Jesus! He is close to us, beside us, and in us. But in another sense, He in in front, We follow Him. He is the Head, We are one of the members of His Body, the Church. The parts of our bodies do not dictate to the head. The head may respond to our parts, but our head gives the command. He does not follow us, or have a mere irreverent relationship with us. If we think so, as someone said, our "God is too small" indeed! We do NOT make demands of HIM!
We walk WITH HIM, not the other way around.(Genesis 5:22)
If we are not on our guard, we can trivialize Jesus, even if unintentionally. But the results can be the same. Not only are prayers not answered, but He may LEAVE US ON OUR OWN so that we may see what is really in our heart. (2 Chronicles 32:31). At the very least, an attitude of undue familiarity and lack of reverence toward the Father and Jesus Christ will undermine the closeness and communion we should be having with them. More than anything else, they desire oneness with us. (John 17:20-21) But irreverence, at some point, can result in discipline, correction, and chastisement. Remember, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God in this way.(Hebrews 10:31) He loves us so much that He will do whatever is necessary to get our attention long enough for us to really see ourselves as He sees us.(Hebrews 12:5-11).
Do you feel that your relationship with Jesus and the Father is not as it once was, or as it should be? There is undue familiarity in many homes today, which is a grievous sin. However there is another even more grievous...
I urge you to ask yourself this question: "Whatever happened to reverence"?
"And they have no experience of the way of peace [they know nothing about peace, for a peaceful way they do not even recognize]. There is no [reverential] fear of God before their eyes" - Romans 3:17-18 (Amplified Bible.)