3:157 – Showing Respect

#faithbites #faithjourney respect

What does it mean to respect someone or something? How do you show respect? Today, I was in a debate about protesting by kneeling during the national anthem. This post isn’t about that, but rather the concept of what does it mean to show respect. Is it different for different people?

When we look at the words of God and Jesus, how do they tell us to show respect?

Scripture

• Psalm 95:6 – Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
• Acts 20:36 – And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
• Phillipians 2:10 – So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
• Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
• Numbers 30:2 – If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Reflection

Kneeling, singing, praying, standing, vowing, and acting. These are all ways we show respect and honor for our Lord. In fact, Deuteronomy 6:5, says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and all your soul”.

There isn’t just one way to show respect. When we do it, it should be to our God and not to false idols. (Exodus 20:3-5). It’s easy to get wrapped up in symbols that are not God. Instead, let us focus on showing respect to God and all of his children. We are one family and need to love and respect each other. It doesn’t mean that we will always agree, but we can love.

Just like there is more than one way to show respect to God, there is more than one way to show respect to each other, our countries, our professions, and everything.

This is a challenging topic. Know that God forgives when we mess up. Let’s try to understand others and respect each other.

Challenge

How do you show your respect? Is it standing, kneeling, bowing, singing, praying, listening, or any of a number of other ways. It is ok. Find a way that you show respect and make it known why you are doing it. Communication is key.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, your people are divided. We speak different languages, come from different places, have different ways of showing respect, and different ways of showing our anger. Help us to be kind. Give us the ability to respect that to which we don’t agree. Let us love as you loves us. Jesus, when we fail, which we will do, forgive us and give us the spirit of forgiveness and understanding to make amends. We love you and give you all the honor and glory. In your name, Amen.