25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29
Moses was the one who warned on earth from Mount Sinai. And what was his warning? They were warned not to do certain things. “Thou shalt not…” And so God told those under the old covenant that they must not indulge in idolatry and sin.
In the verses quoted above, God now speaks from heaven through his Son, Jesus. His covenant, the new covenant is unshakeable – unlike the old covenant which is shaken and removed. If the word given through Moses was heard with awe and reverence, how much more should Jesus the Word and his covenant be held in awe and reverence?
So how do we worship or serve God with reverence and awe? The first part of Hebrews 12 warns against sin in various forms. Since God sent Jesus to provide forgiveness of sins at the cost of his death on the cross – forgiveness on condition of repentance – those who are under the new covenant are likewise to forsake idolatry and sin.
So we worship and serve God with reverence and awe by living holy lives.
– SSXG