Hot Topics: Respect
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
Respect is deference and courtesy. Sadly, too many “Christians” aren’t respectful. They fight against the world that God so loves. Therein,
When we disrespect world leaders and laws (because they don’t agree with our beliefs)... the lost sheep our Shepherd wants us to reach will tune out our rants and keep wandering. Therefore,
Remember the Acts of the Apostles!
As commissioned ambassadors for Christ, good diplomacy was (and is) crucial!
Why?
Because our kind and gentle behavior will help us gain access to hurting hearts, but ugly or arrogant behavior will get foreign doors slammed in our faces.
But the One really knocking is Jesus.
Here's the thing we can’t afford to forget:
While disrespect is an increasing norm, it can't become a Christian's standard form…
Not even when we're slandered and disdained,
Not even when we're angry with the world,
Not even when we feel we're in the right.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
'Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near' (Philippians 4:5).
‘Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor’ (Romans 12:10).
‘Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor’ (1 Peter 2:17).
‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you’ (Exodus 20:12).
‘Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity…’ (Titus 2:7).
‘Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves’ (Philippians 2:3).
‘Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment’ (Romans 13:2).
‘You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord’ (Leviticus 19:32).
NOTE: These 8 orders concern your behavior: how you act and treat people around you. Add them all up? It’s a show of respect.
2nd NOTE: The next order concerns your reactions: how you handle the bad acts of others.
‘I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two’ (Matthew 5:39-42).*
Bottom Line:
Insults are tests of our reactions. To respond with respectful self-restraint feels completely counterintuitive! But human intuition can’t compare to the Mind of Christ and the Heart of God.
When we decide to respond peacefully, it shows faith (and we know God avenges)!
Hot Topics: Respect (Part 57)
What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek? | GotQuestions.org
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.
WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!