RESPECT - To feel or show deferential regard for; to esteem (1-The American Heritage Dictionary) To Consider worthy of esteem (2-Webster’s Dictionary)
“Do unto others what you would have others do unto you.” How many times have you heard that? What about… “If you want friends, you have to be a friend (or show yourself friendly).” “If you want to be treated with respect, you must treat others with respect.”
When we consider what elements fall into the area of confidence, we often disregard some of the most basic of emotions or attitudes.
When we regard who God is…when we concentrate on what He is – then we can understand the reverence due him. To revere is respect at its greatest. To show respect and admiration, even awe toward God is also easy to understand.
Does God respect us? Does He respect one person over another? Who do we reserve the right to be respected by?
In Romans 2:11 it says that God is not a respecter of persons…what that means is that he doesn’t show favoritism. His Son died for all….rich, poor, homely and beautiful, highly intelligent (human standards) and those considered not very bright at all. In other words he doesn’t respect the rich over poor, good looking over the ugly or smart over the dumb. We cannot measure wealth on earth in comparison to God’s wealth. We cannot measure what God deems beautiful through the eyes of man and we dare not try to measure the intelligence of man vs. God….and He doesn’t measure equality by whether you are Jew or Gentile when it comes to His saving grace.
How strong is the message in the Bible as to the importance of respect? God gives us several examples: In James 2:1-9 (NIV) My brothers, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man with shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Well…I don’t think that could be much clearer. We need to be mindful of our attitude of respect. Jesus set us straight when he said Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you….your Father which is in heaven…maketh sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44, 45b KJV)
It seems to me that this portion of scripture makes it clear that we are not to judge the good or the bad - judging can be a kind of off shoot of respect especially if we are partial. We are instructed not to be partial but treat everyone the same…..but wait…doesn’t it say not to cast our pearls before swine? Why…yes it does. So is that a contradiction? NO! We can be both considerate and wise at the same time. You needn’t be fooled because you show respect through obedience. The word ‘wisdom’ is in the Bible over 230 times. It is in the book of Proverbs 54 times! There is a great message on using wisdom and one of them is to seek it out and ask of God if you need to. He never contradicts himself. We can treat others with respect and esteem without being foolish. If you are considerate of someone, even show them the love of Jesus Christ and they treat you poorly, then you may need to be more discerning, but never forget that Jesus died for all, even that one who tromps on your generosity. Clearly, you wouldn’t give pearls to pigs in the first place…why?….it’s not what pigs need or know what to do with. So, using God’s wisdom, you give pigs what they need, however, that is not your judgment, it is using your intellect and respect. One of the greatest ways to show respect to God is by the obedience of following his word. By being obedient, you will have more peace and confidence follows. Don’t you automatically feel better when you know you have done the right thing…the Christian thing? You can be confident in the truth of God and you can raise the bar of your confidence level by committing yourself to treat others with respect at all times, especially when you desire to be treated the same way.
With that said, what about self-respect? How do we handle that? We have heard “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” (Vanity of vanities, sayeth the preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity”) Ecc. 1:2 KJV)
God expects his children to remember that they are fashioned after him (Genesis 9:6b… for in the image of God made he man; also Genesis 1:26, 27). That in mind, how would we treat God in the physical realm? If we could set him a place at dinner, or take him in the car or speak to him over the telephone would we act any differently than we would without him present? What about taking God out to buy his clothes or subject him to a night out with our friends and associates? Would the level of respect and reverence for God be different if you could actually see him next to you instead of the invisible Spirit of God that travels with you? How you see yourself and treat yourself should be measured by the way you treat the Lord…or would if He was visible to you at all times.
Let’s look at another side to self respect. I just tried to focus on the fact that we would probably act, think, dress and speak differently if God was on our arm instead of in our heart. We probably would only introduce him to the ‘cream of the crop’ regarding our friendships and associates. Our houses would be different. Only the Bible would sit on the table and maybe some Bible study books and a home decorating or gardening magazine. The news might come on the television but you would cringe if the reporters showed or said something less than a high level of morality. “Sure,” you say, “of course it would be like that…He is God after all!” You would treat God with the utmost respect and consideration.
Should you treat yourself any less respectful? Do you agree that you are made in his image? All of man is made in the image of God, what becomes so special about being a believer is that you become a ‘son’ of God when you accept Jesus as your Savior (John 1:12). You have special status which doesn’t give you reason for vanity, because that special status has nothing to do with anything you have personally accomplished. Yet, respect is in order. If you remember who you are, why you were created and who you were fashioned after, you will hold yourself up with greater esteem…because of God in you. Self pride and understanding what God has brought you to be are two very different things. There is no room for pride. It is true you are special, not because of anything you have done for yourself or to yourself but only because of His love for you and his Spirit in you.
Certainly you should act respectful, but more than that you should expect the same from others and one step further – you should see yourself as deserving because of God’s promises. Put yourself out there knowing that you have reason and purpose.
Your confidence will heighten once you understand that confidence isn’t just to boost you up but to send you forth proclaiming God’s Word.
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author