Title: Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part 2) 

Subject: Coming Before God
Summary: John Ritenbaugh admonishes that we must continually upgrade our decorum and formality in our approach to God, striving to emulate Him in all that we do. Our culture (paralleling the second law of thermo-dynamics) has seriously degenerated in decorum and standards, pulling everyone down into casual, slovenly and disrespectful behavior. Morally and socially, we must resist the ever-present antagonism toward law, rules, and decorum, choosing instead to submit ourselves to God's standards of order enabling the whole body to be organized, training to become a holy priesthood before God. We must exercise temperance concerning food and drink, dress and demeanor. The non-negotiable rules or instructions given for the organization and administration of the tabernacle were clear, unambiguous and served to enforce strict decorum and formality. What is practiced on the outside reinforces what is on the inside.

Keywords: Adams, John Abihu Alcohol American flag Appropriateness in dress Art Makarrow Asceticism Beauty of creation Casualness in Feast behavior Decorum Dignity Dress and decorum Ezra Fear of God Football example Formality Herbert W. Armstrong Holy priesthood Lack of decorum Levites Nadab Nehemiah Permission to overindulge Principles of Respect Reverence for God Scattering Self control Show of wisdom Wellstone memorial abomination