“A Crisis of Respect”

David Brooks is a Canadian born opinion columnist who writes about social, political and cultural issues. In a recent issue of The New York Times ,writing about the political divide in the United States, Brooks commented that we are facing “a crisis of respect” in our country.

We have written a good deal about the Biblical attitude we should have leading up to last week’s election. In looking back, all the posts were based on the idea of respect. This is not another blog post about the election. It is however, an appeal for us to evaluate of our level of respect in all of our relationships.

Respect involves honor, esteem, and deference to others. It values people because they too are created in God’s image. Treats them with dignity. Courtesy. Kindness. And is gracious.

In the first century Christianity was born into to a world where there was a great divide between various groups of Jews. The Pharisees and the Sadducees held divergent religious views. In addition, there were other Jewish sects such as the Zealots, who sought the overthrow of Roman rule and the Essenes, who were less influential, and refused to be involved in public life.

Of course, we know that there was a great divide between the Jews and the Samaritans, and, of course, the Jews and the Gentiles. In addition, one-third of the Roman world were slaves, some of whom were treated harshly. Women in the first century possessed few rights and were often dismissed with little respect.

Thus, it’s not surprising that God’s Word offers a good bit of instruction about the spirit of respect Christians should have toward other people. Consider these relationships and the Biblical command.

(1) Brethren in God’s church should be treat one another with respect.

Rom 12:10
“Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another.”

(2) Those in positions of governmental authority ought to be accorded respect

Rom 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

(3) Shepherds in God’s church deserve our respect.

1 Thess 5:12-13
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

(4) Wives are commanded to express respect for the headship of their husbands.

Eph 5:33
So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

(5) Husbands are admonished to treat their wives with understanding, consideration and respect.

1 Peter 3:7
“In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are the weaker sex. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God’s gift of life. Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.”

(6) Children must be taught to honor and respect the authority of their parents.

Eph 6:2-3
“Respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added: “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.”

(7) Even servants were to demonstrate respect for their masters.

1 Peter 2:18
“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.”

These passages remind us that people are important to God. And they should be important to me. People have worth. Value. Dignity. They are created in God’s image and after His likeness. In fact, the apostle Peter commands, “Respect all people” (1 Pet 2:7). In other words, show regard to others. Express appreciation. Convey kindness. No matter the social or economic status one has, he or she deserves our deference as a fellow human being with an eternal soul.

Respect gives others the right to hold opinions, positions, and views with which we may disagree, yet to do with an attitude of kindness, grace, and forbearance.

There ought not to be a “crisis of respect” among God’s people. We are called to be different. Set apart from the world. A shining light in a dark and wicked culture.

Maybe we just need to remember the simple message of the American author known as Dr. Seuss. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman