Show Respect
Show proper respect to everyone. 1 Peter 2:17
The Bible tells us that God is love. Respect has become an endangered value over the past few decades. We live in the “Age of Irreverence,” where sarcasm rules the day and everyone loves a good put down.
Yet the Bible makes it clear that stable families — and stable societies — are built around respect. The Bible commands us to honor our parents, respect civil authority, and respect church leaders. Wives are called to respect husbands in Ephesians. In the book of 1 Peter, husbands are called to respect wives. Just to make it clear that the Bible leaves no one out, the Bible also tells us to “show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17a NIV).
It is my opinion that everyone, regardless of beliefs or behaviors, is worthy of respect.
Why?
God made everyone. Psalm 8:5 says, “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." God doesn’t make junk. No one is worthless. People make wrong decisions all the time, but they are still valuable to God. Even the most unlovable person in the world is loved by God.
Jesus died for everyone. The Bible says 1 Peter 1 v. 18-19, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." You may not place much value in certain people, but God does. In fact, he says every person you meet is worth dying for.
Know God, you’ll fill your life with love. The Bible says, “Whoever does not love, does not know God, it shows that he doesn’t know God because God is love” 1 John 4:8. Love always treats people with respect.
You’ll get back whatever you give out. It’s the law of the harvest. Whatever goes around comes around. If you want to be respected, you must treat other people with respect. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7.
I challenge us today to respect those around us that we may feel don't deserve it, because when we do God's mercy and grace can be shown through you and most importantly His love. It may be hard but God promises it will be worth it.
In His Grip