EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
Isn’t it beautiful when we can clearly respect families that are stable, societies that are ones to be admired and individual people who have become pillars of stable strength?
God has a plan for this in this world. And when we follow in obedience to His plan, we can see His plan fully alive and working.
“Show proper respect to everyone,” the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:17. God’s Word commands us to honor our parents, respect and love our husbands and vice versa – them to us, as well as civil authorities… and the list goes on.
God doesn’t make mistakes, and people are not worthless. God tells us to love everyone. Jesus died for each person regardless if they believe in Him or not. People are valuable to God, even the most unlovable ones, because He created them all!
As Christ followers, we need to show respect to everyone because it reflects that we love God. God will do the changing of a heart, we must remember this. It’s not up to us. We are only to show an example of Him, no matter what. Are you a reflection of Him in your life? I know personally that I must work on this at all times. And I say this from a place of humility: I’ve had to learn this! I often grumble about doing it, but then I confess it right away and reminding myself, “Who am I?” God loves that person I’m not showing respect to, as much as He does me. They just may not know Him like I do, but they are still His creation, worthy of respect.
I have learned that no matter what, when we treat others with respect, we will be respected, too. Think about the law of the harvest… “What a person plants, he will harvest.” (Galatians 6:7)
When we love someone whom we don’t like very much (as God commands us to do) and when we become “eager to show respect for one another,”… we become more like Jesus! And I know I often ask Him myself, “God, please help me to be more like You, especially when the times rise up and I tend to fall so short.”