“Show proper respect to everyone: love others as He loves you." ~ 1 Peter 2:17
While the guest speaker waited for his turn to address an
assembly of young people, their Youth Leader attempted to make some brief announcements
and a blessing. Throughout this, the students talked, laughed, texted, and were
disrespectful to the leader and each other.
“Hmm,” Joshua began thoughtfully. “Actually, respect means honoring
people when they talk; valuing them, and treating others as you wish to be
treated. I observed a lot of disrespect during the gathering beforehand, not
just to your Leader, but also to your peers.”
He gazed over the crowd, noticing several heads bowed as a
wave of embarrassment washed over them. He’d gotten their attention.
Perhaps I’m just a curmudgeonly old guy now, but it seems
to me that we aren’t as respectful as we used to be. Much of our culture
believes that you don’t have to respect someone unless or until they respect
you first. That’s a twisted version of how the Bible defines respect.”
Then his tone took a more personal tone.
“Before I took my first baby steps, my father moved out of
our home and left my pregnant Mom to raise six children on her own. I grew up
believing that I had no obligation to show respect for that man who steered our
family into a life of financial and emotional poverty.”
He went on to explain that wasn’t the standard Christ
followed. The Apostle Peter (above) provides no prerequisites, restrictions, or
guidelines for respect.
“My father, like Peter, was not perfect. Despite the
mistakes he made, I must love and respect him because he’s precious to God and
was made in His image. People shouldn’t have to “earn” the privilege of you
treating them the way Jesus preached that they deserve to be treated.”
“Isn’t it amazing that we don’t have to earn God’s respect,
or force others to earn ours? We are redeemed by His incredible gift of respect.
As Christians, we should be dynamic examples of respect in our communities, and
we have the chance to offer the unfathomable respect and grace of God to them,
without asking them to earn it. How beautiful… and counter-cultural!”
Joshua closed by asking: “What would it look like if we changed
our mindset from it's not all about us; that people don’t have to ‘earn’ the
right to be treated rightly? What would it be like if you gave respect freely to
everyone you encounter? Would others notice a difference in you?”
He ended his talk to raucous applause.
