Holy Reverence and the 'man Upstairs'?

[GRACE_ambassador]

"
In his song entitled, “Unanswered Prayers,” country singer Garth Brooks refers
to God as “the Man upstairs.” Similar phrases referring to Almighty God include:
the Big Man, my Co-pilot, my Homeboy, my Golf-buddy, or simply JC. The user
may not intend it this way, but such references are highly disrespectful and
reveal a lack of understanding about Who and What our Great High God really is.

When the Apostle John encountered the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was instructing
him to write what would be revealed to him, he said, “I fell at His feet as dead”
(Revelation 1:17). Notice there was nothing casual in John’s response. Why? When
the Lord Jesus Christ spoke, it was with “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (v. 10). “His
eyes were as a flame of fire” (v. 14), and “His countenance was as the sun” (v. 16).

This brief picture, and the reaction of a mere man in the presence of God, is
consistent with the rest of Scripture. Isaiah says he saw “the Lord...high and
lifted up” with dynamic angelic hosts attending Him crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy,
is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-3). Isaiah’s response was not casual or irreverent.
He said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and
I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (v. 5).

People of old had a far greater reverence for the Lord. King David described
his great God by saying, “The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with Majesty; the
Lord is clothed with strength...Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from
everlasting” (Psalms 93:1-2). He continued, “God sitteth upon the throne of His
Holiness” as He reigns over all men (Psalms 47:8).

He’s not just a co-pilot or a buddy. Balak declared, “God is not a man, that
He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).

The Lord tells us this is because “My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My Ways...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are
My Ways Higher Than your ways, and My Thoughts Than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9).

In the context of all this information, the Lord Jesus said of the Father,
“Hallowed [meaning Holy or Sacred] be Thy Name” (Matthew 6:9).

It would be appropriate to lovingly share articles such as this with lost souls
who lack understanding of God’s Holiness and Magnificence. More importantly,
in humility, we believers need always to show great reverence to the Lord and
to His Name.
"
— Pastor John Fredericksen ( 'link' )

Further Holy Scripture For humility, respect, reverence, and understanding:
The Triune GodHead!

 

[Chad7]

"
In his song entitled, “Unanswered Prayers,” country singer Garth Brooks refers
to God as “the Man upstairs.” Similar phrases referring to Almighty God include:
the Big Man, my Co-pilot, my Homeboy, my Golf-buddy, or simply JC. The user
may not intend it this way, but such references are highly disrespectful and
reveal a lack of understanding about Who and What our Great High God really is.

When the Apostle John encountered the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was instructing
him to write what would be revealed to him, he said, “I fell at His feet as dead”
(Revelation 1:17). Notice there was nothing casual in John’s response. Why? When
the Lord Jesus Christ spoke, it was with “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (v. 10). “His
eyes were as a flame of fire” (v. 14), and “His countenance was as the sun” (v. 16).

This brief picture, and the reaction of a mere man in the presence of God, is
consistent with the rest of Scripture. Isaiah says he saw “the Lord...high and
lifted up” with dynamic angelic hosts attending Him crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy,
is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-3). Isaiah’s response was not casual or irreverent.
He said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and
I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (v. 5).

People of old had a far greater reverence for the Lord. King David described
his great God by saying, “The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with Majesty; the
Lord is clothed with strength...Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from
everlasting” (Psalms 93:1-2). He continued, “God sitteth upon the throne of His
Holiness” as He reigns over all men (Psalms 47:8).

He’s not just a co-pilot or a buddy. Balak declared, “God is not a man, that
He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).

The Lord tells us this is because “My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My Ways...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are
My Ways Higher Than your ways, and My Thoughts Than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9).

In the context of all this information, the Lord Jesus said of the Father,
“Hallowed [meaning Holy or Sacred] be Thy Name” (Matthew 6:9).

It would be appropriate to lovingly share articles such as this with lost souls
who lack understanding of God’s Holiness and Magnificence. More importantly,
in humility, we believers need always to show great reverence to the Lord and
to His Name.
"
— Pastor John Fredericksen ( 'link' )

Further Holy Scripture For humility, respect, reverence, and understanding:
The Triune GodHead!

I would add to your list of nicknames for God the mangled forms of His name such as "Gosh," "Golly" "Gwarsh" "GeeWhiz" "Jeez" and "Gee Whilikers". To me these are all egregiously disrespectful and are egregious violations of the third commandment.

 

[Chad7]

I would add to your list of nicknames for God the mangled forms of His name such as Gosh, Golly, Gwarsh, Jeez, Gee Whiz, etc. To me these are egregiously disrespectful and a direct violation of the third commandment.

 

[SomeDisciple]

In his song entitled, “Unanswered Prayers,” country singer Garth Brooks refers
to God as “the Man upstairs.”

As annoying as Garth Brooks' howling is, there's nothing wrong with this rhetorically.

The actual sound that comes out of his mouth, and is broadcast to torture the ears of people everywhere- that's the real scandal.

 

[homwardbound]

"
In his song entitled, “Unanswered Prayers,” country singer Garth Brooks refers
to God as “the Man upstairs.” Similar phrases referring to Almighty God include:
the Big Man, my Co-pilot, my Homeboy, my Golf-buddy, or simply JC. The user
may not intend it this way, but such references are highly disrespectful and
reveal a lack of understanding about Who and What our Great High God really is.

When the Apostle John encountered the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was instructing
him to write what would be revealed to him, he said, “I fell at His feet as dead”
(Revelation 1:17). Notice there was nothing casual in John’s response. Why? When
the Lord Jesus Christ spoke, it was with “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (v. 10). “His
eyes were as a flame of fire” (v. 14), and “His countenance was as the sun” (v. 16).

This brief picture, and the reaction of a mere man in the presence of God, is
consistent with the rest of Scripture. Isaiah says he saw “the Lord...high and
lifted up” with dynamic angelic hosts attending Him crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy,
is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-3). Isaiah’s response was not casual or irreverent.
He said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and
I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (v. 5).

People of old had a far greater reverence for the Lord. King David described
his great God by saying, “The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with Majesty; the
Lord is clothed with strength...Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from
everlasting” (Psalms 93:1-2). He continued, “God sitteth upon the throne of His
Holiness” as He reigns over all men (Psalms 47:8).

He’s not just a co-pilot or a buddy. Balak declared, “God is not a man, that
He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).

The Lord tells us this is because “My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My Ways...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are
My Ways Higher Than your ways, and My Thoughts Than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9).

In the context of all this information, the Lord Jesus said of the Father,
“Hallowed [meaning Holy or Sacred] be Thy Name” (Matthew 6:9).

It would be appropriate to lovingly share articles such as this with lost souls
who lack understanding of God’s Holiness and Magnificence. More importantly,
in humility, we believers need always to show great reverence to the Lord and
to His Name.
"
— Pastor John Fredericksen ( 'link' )

Further Holy Scripture For humility, respect, reverence, and understanding:
The Triune GodHead!

Although, me I learn from people like Garth Brooks and many others going through the fire
I seek gold nuggets from everything I hear, see and even do wrong as have and see to not anymore by trust to Father an dSon as won, not of myself as am learning that still, in humility not pride as if I got it
"Gold Nugget" Garth admitting to Garth's doing wrong in his Song. me taking it seriously
Magnum force, Clint Eastwood "A man has got to know his own limitations"
Bruce Almighty when bruce in the movie asks God (Morgan Freedman)
"How can I get anyone to love me without taking away anyone's free will?"
I see not possible to ever be truly loved if ever take away anyone's free will?

Seek Gold Nuggets and be safe between Father, Son and you, thank you
Anyone can believe as they want to believe, yet no one has to live like a refugee
Freedom is and was never meant to harm anyone ever, thanks and that is why Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church about misusing and harming others without care as they were doing at first
Then saw and heard the letter written snd truly repented to Gos after all and saw this live given us all, Paul reports this repentance in 2 Cor 7

 

[Edify]

Disrespecting God is definitely a bad thing. Taking advantage of His grace, acting as if it doesn't matter what you do, is also disrespecting God & is far worse.

 

[Dino246]

I just wonder why we criticize the world's references to God. Let us rather rejoice that they acknowledge Him at all, and pray for greater revelation leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

 

[DavidLamb]

I just wonder why we criticize the world's references to God. Let us rather rejoice that they acknowledge Him at all, and pray for greater revelation leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

But is somebody who talks about almighty God in derogatory terms like "The Man Upstairs" really acknowledging God?

 

[homwardbound]

Disrespecting God is definitely a bad thing. Taking advantage of His grace, acting as if it doesn't matter what you do, is also disrespecting God & is far worse.

Being set free to choose to do right from within you, the person's soul is real, once one sees their freedom in risen Son (Father given) given them to abide in freely chosen to do right, sits there in the center of the Tornado, where it is calm. or in the middle of a Teeter Totter, where there is balance Father leading not me or anyone else either, and Son is One with Daddy
Think on the wise:
You try to do, how you doing in trying? Oh, not trying, you got it together then? Has pride entered? I see Pride and quilt God hates, and those caught up in pride and quilt stops people from getting, being established in truth of God's love and mercy of Son for us all first. Loving us all unconditionally, as people say one must be sinning purposely, being freed to sin. Paul stated this to the Corinthians about those claiming he sins, being freed to sin, is taking for granted this grace given, what a ploy from evil.
I see I am free to do wrong. I choose not to harm anyone. I trust God in risen Son to keep me safe, trusting Daddy knows best
seeing Cain in genesis when God talked to Cain and told Cain he could try all over again, Cain had the free choice to not sin and murder his brother Abel
But he chose to murder him. And God did not kill Cane
Who is righteous and who is not? God is righteous the only on earth good forever and always, I see to sit with Father and Son as Won thank you for us all t choose to believe God or not 100% or not
John 1:29 is done as said is in John 19:30. New life offered in the rise Son Hebrews 9:14-17

Therefore choose right now Life or death, thank you

 

[Dino246]

But is somebody who talks about almighty God in derogatory terms like "The Man Upstairs" really acknowledging God?

I don't think "the Man upstairs" is in the least derogatory. Jesus is a man. He ascended into heaven. What's derogatory about that? Does it encompass the fullness of His glory? No. Does "Our Father in heaven" encompass the fullness of His glory? No.

There's no need to pick nits, and there's no need to judge the world; that's God's job.