3:228 – Respect One Another

#faithbites #faithjourney respect

Setting

I was trying to take a well-deserved nap this afternoon, and my youngest kept waking me up. I asked her if it was nice to wake me up and she said no.  This behavior continues on and off and not just waking me up. Then we have the talk about respecting one another.

On social media, I see disrespect all of the time. People talking past one another, people not listening, people using situations to twist to their viewpoint without understanding or acknowledging the lack of respect that is being shown.

Respect is defined as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”

Are you showing respect for everyone in all situations?

Scripture

• 1 Peter 2:17 – Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
• 1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
• Matthew 7:12 –  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (NIV)

Reflection

Scripture seems very clear here. Show respect for everyone, be kind, and treat others as you want to be treated. Is there anyone out there who wants to be disrespected? I know I don’t want to be.

The hard part is thinking about all the areas that are covered when we talk about respect. I don’t have a definition of how you show respect in all circumstances. I also think that God knows that we can’t know that so put it simply. Do unto others what you would have them do to you.

Don’t want to be woken up, don’t wake people up. Don’t want people to yell at you on social media, don’t yell at them. Want people to be kind, be kind to them. It’s so simple that we miss it.

I know with my youngest that some of the attitude and anger I get it what I give. It’s like looking at a mirror. What we need to do is look at the mirror and see if we are being the person we want to have reflected back at us. If not, maybe we need to follow the Golden rule better.

Challenge

Look at the broader definition of respect. Are you feeling and showing a deep appreciation or admiration for others? If not, what can you to do show them kindness and love? Find one thing that you can do differently to be more respectful to others.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we try to show respect to you at all times. When we fail, forgive us, and help us to be better. Lord help us to show love and kindness to everyone in all situations. Expand our minds so we understand that respect is shown in all things, even those that can’t be quantified. You provide an excellent example of how we should treat each other, but we fail often. Forgive us for our sins and failings. Remind us that we have new opportunities each day to show love and respect. Give us the tools to be the change in the world and a reflection of your love to all. In your name, Amen.