Respect for Others

Hello everyone. We started a new month for the Joshua Generation Sunday. Our characteristic this month is Respect for Others. Our slogan is, “Respect begins with me.” The memory verses for each week this month are Heb. 13:7, Lev. 19:32, Rom. 13:7 and Matt. 7:12. The goal of action for this month is for each of us to learn to be more respectful to everyone around us. Some of you in our congregation receive the Joshua Generation bulletin. For those of you who do not, I want to send you some of the information in it.

These are just some ways we can show respect in our behavior.

10 Behaviors That Show Your Respect For Others

1. Treat people as individuals—From the very start learn names including proper spelling and pronunciation
2. Speak clearly and explain patiently—Provide examples when explaining new materials or instructions
3. Listen with patience, skill and empathy—Give a person your full attention with eye contact. Don’t interrupt unless you don’t understand.
4. Give permission to differ—Openly discuss your viewpoints and allow others to express theirs.
5. Pay attention to body language—Don’t assume you can read it. Ask for clarification.
6. Expect and accept mistakes—Correct the mistake in private if possible and do not belittle the person who made the mistake. Some mistakes are not worthy of correction.
7. Create trust by being honest—Kindly and tactfully tell the truth, even when it is negative.
8. Watch your language—Don’t swear or use sexually explicit language ever. Do not use derogatory words like “stupid” or “fool.” Never scream or yell. The use of sarcasm can be misunderstood even in the best circumstances.
9. Avoid gossip and put-down jokes—Don’t say something about someone that you wouldn’t want to say to them.
10. Apologize when wrong or thoughtless—A simple, I was wrong or I’m sorry, works wonders. Only the insecure need to be right all the time. Ask for forgiveness.

One of the most fascinating lessons about respect is taught in Mt. 23:1-4. Jesus points out that the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. That is, they occupy the position of lawgiver and leader of God’s people that Moses had. He then logically concludes, “…therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…” Please keep in mind that our Lord was not talking about obeying God’s laws. That was a given expectation. Rather, he was talking about the heavy, grievous, difficult burdens which the scribes and Pharisees would bind upon the people. Our Lord then anticipated the objection that might be made to such respectful obedience. The scribes and Pharisees deserved no such respect. They were hypocrites. They did not even keep their own bound traditions. You might ask how we can respect such men. The answer, of course, is that one cannot rightly respect the men. But the men occupy a position, duly authorized. Perhaps they should not be in that position, but they are. The position deserves respect, therefore the men in the position must be respected. Paul acknowledged this very point in Acts 23:3-5.

Friends, if we are judging by our worthiness, surely none of us really believe that we deserve respect. We all make too many blunders, have too many human shortcomings to claim worthiness (Rom. 3:10). But, God has ordained certain positions: husband, wife, mother, father, child, elder, deacon, governor, master, servant, boss, employee, etc. These positions, God ordained, deserve respectfulness. We are all the creation of God. We are the creation of God made in His image. That alone is a position requiring respectfulness.

We often disrespect ourselves and the positions we occupy. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10), Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam. 2:12-25) not only disrespected God, their fathers, the people they served, but, also themselves and the position they occupied. Men whom God ordained to lead their homes and the world, often disrespect their position by relinquishing leadership to women and children. Elders too often relinquish leadership to the preachers. Moms too often relinquish leadership to the daycare.

Brothers and sisters, let’s learn to be respectful. If we are, so too will the next generation be respectful of us, God, government, their friends and lost sinners.

Mike Glenn