Daily Thought for Wednesday, May 18th

May 18, 2011

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. 

Should It Be Freely Given or Does It Need To Be Earned

“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?”

-  Confucius

Today’s Thought:

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have it pinned on them.” – George Ade

Today’s Question

Did you know:  “It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem [respect]?” – La Rochefoucauld

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.”

- John W. Gardner

“  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you,”

- The Bible (Malachi 1:6(a))

“I can’t get no respect.”

 – Rodney Dangerfield

What is respect?  Webster defines it as, “A state of being held in honor or esteem: the act of holding in high estimation, deference, or honor.”

It we respect something or someone we have chosen to honor it or them to some degree and in some way.

So then begs the question, is respect to be given freely or should it have to be earned?

“Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.” – Albert Einstein

As Christians we have no problem with the concept of honoring or respecting God, but when it comes to our fellow man, we sometimes struggle.

What does scripture teach us?

“That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” – The Bible (John 5:23)

“Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” – The Bible (Luke 18:20)

“Honour widows that are widows indeed.” – The Bible (1 Timothy 5:3)

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” – The Bible (1 Peter 3:7)

“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” – The Bible (1 Peter 2:17)

It would seem God expects us to give respect, regardless of whether we perceive it to be earned or not.  

Remember scripture tells us this: “…The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” – The Bible (Mark 12:29-31)

To love, we must respect, so to obey we must honor God first and humanity second.

Keep in mind every person represents a soul that Jesus died for.  He loved each one enough to die for them: you don’t get much more honored and respected than that.

We need to honor all saints and sinners, but remember we don’t have to respect the sin, just the soul.

Today’s Verses:

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

John 12:26

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;           

Romans 12:10

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

                        1 Timothy 1:17

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be faithful and diligent to give honor to whom honor is due: by respecting first you which will then enable me to respect others.