- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,171
Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Peter 2:17
Today’s culture puts great value on respect. But while not everyone practices respect for their fellow human beings, nearly everyone feels entitled to it.
It may come as a surprise to many Christian men, but all people feel an innate need for respect. Even more surprising to some is that God calls each of His people to show respect for others, no matter their beliefs or lifestyles. 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 Word. But the actions and words of others who don’t know God don’t relieve you who do know Him of the responsibility to treat them with respect.
Respect doesn’t mean giving approval or acceptance to lifestyles and actions you know God disapproves of. It means simply seeing and 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.
Your role as a Christian living in a fallen world full of imperfect people is to be an example of God’s love and grace. You move yourself closer to that goal when you show love and respect for others, both in how you speak to them and how you treat them.
Today’s culture puts great value on respect. But while not everyone practices respect for their fellow human beings, nearly everyone feels entitled to it.
It may come as a surprise to many Christian men, but all people feel an innate need for respect. Even more surprising to some is that God calls each of His people to show respect for others, no matter their beliefs or lifestyles. 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 Word. But the actions and words of others who don’t know God don’t relieve you who do know Him of the responsibility to treat them with respect.
Respect doesn’t mean giving approval or acceptance to lifestyles and actions you know God disapproves of. It means simply seeing and 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.
Your role as a Christian living in a fallen world full of imperfect people is to be an example of God’s love and grace. You move yourself closer to that goal when you show love and respect for others, both in how you speak to them and how you treat them.
