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- Oct 26, 2007
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Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. 1 Peter 2:17 NLT
It may come as a surprise, but all men (and women) feel an innate need for respect, if for no other reason than their humanity in some degree entitles them to it.
Even more surprising to many is that God calls His people to show respect for others, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyles. Still, it’s not always easy to show proper respect to others, and it’s especially difficult with people whose attitudes and actions show disregard for the truths revealed in God’s written Word.
Even harder is showing respect for those who show you no respect in return. The actions and words of others who don’t know God doesn’t relieve you of the responsibility of treating them with respect, even when they repay it with contempt.
Respect doesn’t mean giving approval or acceptance to lifestyles and actions you know God hasn’t approved. And it doesn’t mean respecting only those you believe have “earned it.” It means simply treating those you meet, no matter how much you disagree with their views and lifestyle choices, as valued creations made in the image of God.
Prayer: Lord, let me be an example of Your amazing love and grace, and a man who treats all people I meet with respect, both in how I speak to them and how I treat them.
It may come as a surprise, but all men (and women) feel an innate need for respect, if for no other reason than their humanity in some degree entitles them to it.
Even more surprising to many is that God calls His people to show respect for others, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyles. Still, it’s not always easy to show proper respect to others, and it’s especially difficult with people whose attitudes and actions show disregard for the truths revealed in God’s written Word.
Even harder is showing respect for those who show you no respect in return. The actions and words of others who don’t know God doesn’t relieve you of the responsibility of treating them with respect, even when they repay it with contempt.
Respect doesn’t mean giving approval or acceptance to lifestyles and actions you know God hasn’t approved. And it doesn’t mean respecting only those you believe have “earned it.” It means simply treating those you meet, no matter how much you disagree with their views and lifestyle choices, as valued creations made in the image of God.
Prayer: Lord, let me be an example of Your amazing love and grace, and a man who treats all people I meet with respect, both in how I speak to them and how I treat them.
