Respect: Whatever Happened to It?

Allow me to get this short, but profound point across. Love involves respect. The two go hand in hand. This topic is not about Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” or a criticism of the music industry.
It is rather, what is going wrong with the world.

Many people talk about how things were when life was simpler. They even talk about the lack of morals in this country. This stems from one Thing: people have tried to take God out of the schools, and are making the Devil their god. There is idolatry practiced even in Christian churches. People are ashamed of preaching the gospel. They are afraid of being labled “Bible Thumpers”, “Jesus Freaks”, “Crazy Religious Fanatics”, and “Homophobics”. There is an utter lack of respect for one another.

People hate each other over the littlest things. They call each other names. They fight to the death over meaningless issues. People refuse to forgive. They think making peace with someone is beneath them. People want to be right. There is no humility.

The Golden Rule is not being applied here. People judged others by the color of their skin or religious beliefs. People show little kindness for one another. Having manners and respecting authority seem to be a thing of the past. Whatever happened to respect?

Respect has all but disappeared it seems. We live in a time where, “the love of many shall wax cold”. (Matthew 24:12). Because of so much disrepect, people have resorted to disrespect. Turning the other cheek, humility, and other Christian values are seen as ridiculous, even ridiculed.

Respect not only involve loving one another, but it involves being humble. People who are respectful towards others treat people the way they like to be treated. Being kind, giving, caring, friendly, and honesty are other traits of people who show respect towards others. Being tactful may be difficult, but one who is respected is often considered more trustworthy. Respect means to admire, honor, and appreciate.

We have seen much of that in the last few days. That is what respect is all about. You may not like or agree with what someone else is doing, but confront the person with tact, tastefulness, and love for your fellow man. Respect means to put your fellow man first.

Bible verses about respect:
Deuteronomy 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

2 Kings 13:23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, 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;

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;