R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

R.e.s.p.e.c.t.

 

 

Respect.  I think this is a word that is so often used incorrectly, and is greatly misunderstood.  Teachers, friends, parents; essentially, everyone demands it.  However it becomes a bit of a gray area when those demanding it don’t seem to deserve it.  I, like everyone else, had pre-conceived notions about it.  But rather than rant, let’s check out what the Word says.   

Regarding elders/authority:

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Regarding parents:

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

Regarding friends/anyone else:

¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:17

The truth: As you can see, the Bible commands respect to everyone.

So perhaps the distortion of this command is all the different definitions to “respect.”  Respect can mean “to honor or admire someone,”  “to be polite in regard to a person,” or even “to avoid violation or interference with.”  Based on what else we can find in the Word, I’ve come to a conclusion.

The truth: God doesn’t expect us to admire those who do sinful things, and we are not expected to support them in their wrong-doings, either.  Rather, we are commanded to treat them with kindness, and honor their authority.  In other words, be polite.  Don’t hop on board if the person is doing something which contradicts the Bible, but be aware that if they are in a position of authority it’s for a reason and you must be kind and regardful to them.   

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-7

I think this verse basically sums it up.  We need to respect authority, but must follow what God has commanded over all.  And when elders are contradicting God’s Word, it’s okay to “respectfully” resist ;).  For example, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did with King Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 3.) 

On a final note, I encourage you to put these commands into practice if you haven’t already.  I know I can easily forget/disregard them, and will be working on it as well.  Long story short, God wants us to treat everyone with kindness, and to honor authority.  Were humans, of course authority will mess up sometimes.  In the end the only One who’s really in charge is God.

Until next time,

-       Tamara