Where is the fear and trembling?

The nation of Israel in Old Testament times was convinced it was God's chosen people, and so was often complacent in their obedience of God's commands. They were wrong on two counts - you can never be complacent before a Holy God, and God's heart was for all nations - a thread that runs through the OT and became much clearer in the New Testament.

Are many in the Christian church today just as complacent in assuming that they are God's chosen people and destined for heaven? But the complacency of disobedient Christians who are convinced of their salvation is so dangerous! Where is the fear and trembling before the holy and righteous God?

We have replaced the stiff starched shirts of former 'Sunday best' clothing, with jeans and chat as we casually wander into God's presence at our informal services. We don't need the stiff formality back, but we have thrown out the baby with the bath-water. We have whole-heartedly adopted the notion that God sees us we are anyway, so why bother with any kind of pretence before him. But we miss the lie contained therein - for this is to say: why bother with acknowledging our sinful nature before an awesome and holy God?

We turn the tables and imply that God can take or leave us as we are, whereas God says, "No, I alone am God. I am the potter and you the clay. I am Redeemer and Judge. This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." (see Isaiah 29 v16 & 66 v2)

Holiness is not much talked or thought about in the church today - perhaps it is too challenging, too troubling? We complacently rely on the simple declaration of faith we may have made many years ago, while having done little about following our Lord ever since. We cannot earn our salvation, but Jesus' gift of salvation, completed on the cross, needs putting into practice each day: "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2 v12)

We presume upon God's love - without it occurring to us that he may see that our hearts are not humble and contrite before him - and so God may indeed justly leave us to our chosen fate... (see Matt 21 v28-32)

Where is the fear and trembling?