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RESPECT AND HONOR

We often chose who we respect and honor. People fall into our bad books all the time and we make statements like, “I have lost all respect for this person”. When we are hurt by a person’s behavior or feel let down, we find it difficult to obey the teaching to respect everyone.

The basis to respecting all people is to see them as being equally created by God, in His own image. That is reason enough to respect them, out of reverence for God. Practice the 101% Principle - Find the 1% you can affirm in a person and give it 100% of your attention (John C. Maxwell).

To respect a person is to treat them well, irrespective of who they are or what they have done. Respect is to value their life, to be kind and to give people the benefit of the doubt; to be understanding and not judgmental; to consider their opinions, their feelings and their needs. We do not have the authority to mistreat anyone, no matter who they are, be it a beggar, our house help, an employee or a stranger driving badly ahead of us on the road. Let us relinquish whatever right we feel we have to treat a person lower than ourselves. Let us respect, honor and pray for all authority placed over us instead of making fun of and abusing them.

Respecting all people, honoring all authorities, loving all people (including our enemies) seems like a tall order. But it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The CHALLENGE to Change:

Make a mental list of people you are finding hard to respect. Ask God for help to change the way you think about them. Pray and bless them, and when the opportunity presents itself, be gracious with your words and seek to do good toward them.