Showing Respect
Saturday November 2, 2019
Showing respect and being worthy of respect matters to God. All persons have value as human beings, regardless of their status or behaviour. We show respect by treating others as we want them to treat us. The “Ten Commandments”, (Exodus 20:3-17) given by God to His people, were instructions which empower God’s people to honour God and live respectfully with each other. The first four commandments were given to help people know how to respect and honour God, their creator. The following six were given to help them show respect to their parents and to live morally in peaceful harmony with their neighbours.
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NLT)
It is God’s will that we be respectful of our parents, of people in authority, of people around us, and of their property. This is particularly difficult when we face those who have harmed us. No matter how badly others have treated us, God’s command does not change about the attitude we are to have towards them. It is God’s standard that as we forgive those who have been disrespectful towards us, God will forgive us for the disrespectful ways we have spoken and acted towards them. Forgiveness eliminates our bondage to the events that caused us to stray from being the person God created us to be. God is a righteous judge and He can be trusted to judge another person’s harmful actions. Each person is accountable to God for their actions.
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. (Luke 6:27 NIV, Proverbs 13:13 NLT)
As people of God we should be committed to showing respect to everyone. May we seek God each day for the grace to do that.
Prayer: Gracious God, I am thankful that You love and care for me. Help me to honour and respect You in my thoughts, motivation, and desires and in all I do and say. Strengthen and help me to show respect to each person I meet, even when I disagree with their ways. Help me to leave all judgment of others with You. Amen
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