R E S P E C T

As we have seen recently, there is a problem in America with individuals using their position of authority to commit acts of evil. Instead of making this an issue of race, gender, or any other political issue; fundamentally, it is an issue of lack of respect. I am not dismissing the recent acts of evil against an unarmed man. No one deserves to die at the hands of another and should be convicted to the full extent of the law. We need to stop judging others by the color of their skin, and learn to respect one another.

In 1 Peter 2:13-17; “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—  as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.“

As I read these verses this week, it spoke as if Peter were here today.  However, Apostle Peter is speaking to the Christians scattered throughout the Asia Minor between 62-63 AD, both Jews and Gentiles (the minority of their times). GOD is having Peter focus on the importance of believers bearing up under unjust suffering, yet continuing to live well (1 Peter 2:20). In this way, 1 Peter is providing encouragement for believers to continue on as Jesus has taught all of His followers. Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:13 specifically instructs us to “submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD’S Sake.” Although the judicial system has many holes and does not always punish the evildoers, it is the Will of GOD that we must submit ourselves to the law and give praise to them that do good. There are more men and women in authority doing good than bad and they are worthy of our praise. “Doing good, you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” I love the WORD of GOD. Indeed, we must strive to silence the ignorance of foolish men and we do this by doing good in accordance to GOD’S WILL.

So how do we do good and “silence the ignorance of foolish men?” I say we start by showing respect for one another. Respect is such a powerful gesture in cultures all over the world and is a basic human need. In the Far East, you would bow to greet someone presenting yourself humbly before another. In Saharan Africa, they spit when they greet each other out of respect. In Medieval Times, the knights would raise their visor using the tips of their fingers to show their face, showing others respect by showing them your expression. Today we use that same gesture as our modern military salute.

Respect is one of the earliest acts we are taught as a child and yet, respect is the first thing to go when we leave the age of innocence. In verse 17, GOD Gives us our path to do good and I feel doing this with Respect can Honor the Lord. ·       

HONOR ALL PEOPLE (RESPECT EVERYONE) - To respect everyone, believers must be conscious that God has created all people in His image, regardless of whether they believe in Christ. We should show them proper respect and honor them because their souls are of more value than all the wealth in the world (Luke 10:33–34; 1 Corinthians 10:33). ·       

HONOR THE KING (RESPECT AUTHORITY) – We honor and respect our governing authorities because they exist by the very will of God (Romans 13:1–7). Such respect must be given whether we agree with them or not. Those in authority are God’s instruments for carrying out the purpose of governing and worthy of the respect God mandates. When we obey the principles of this passage, we give genuine credibility to our faith. As believers, we are to honor our governing authorities and their rights as such. But we may not give to the government those rights that belong to God alone (Luke 20:25). ·       

LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD (RESPECT FELLOW CHRISTIANS) –Loving the brotherhood of believers means to love all believers, regardless of color, nationality, opinions, or affiliations. We are to demonstrate to the world that we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle John wrote of this principle a number of times. Quoting Jesus, he writes, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35; cf. 15:12; 1 John 3:23). ·       

FEAR GOD (RESPECT GOD) –The word fear is a translation of the Greek word phobeisthe, meaning “fear, dread, and respect.” The word also implies that our fear of GOD leads to us to total obedience (Leviticus 18:4; Psalm 119:67; John 14:15). Though we are to honor the king, we should “fear” God (Deuteronomy 10:12; Isaiah 8:13). The bottom line is that it is GOD alone whom we should “fear” in the sense of having an awed respect.

As I watched the Police Officer place George Floyd in a chokehold and subsequently murder him, I am saddened by the senseless killing of a fellow human being. The Officer had a history of evil doing with many people and he displayed a general disrespect for anyone under his authority. This man should have been removed from his position of authority long before Mr. Floyd was murdered. Anyone working with or associating with that Officer must take responsibility for Mr. Floyd’s death. Even further, any Christian associated with that Officer should have been responsible to confront him on his lack of respect for others and demonstrate how others should have been treated.

Christians are to be a people of order and discipline, of righteousness and justice. We are to be dynamic examples of love and peace so that others may be won to Christ and be saved for eternity (Matthew 5:14–16). Part of living as examples of Christ before the watching world is showing respect to others.