Respect the God in Others

Scripture

26: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27: So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

28: God blessed them …

Genesis 1 (NIV)

Laurence Sterne said, “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners”. Many of the issues in today’s society stem from people having self-respect nor showing any respect to others. They have no self-respect and they don’t know how to respect others. Disrespecting themselves in the way they dress. Disrespecting others with their acts of violence. Disrespecting authority. Disrespecting parents and elders. Disrespecting God! These are truly perilous times, and a lot of the fallout that is evident everywhere comes from this lack of respect.

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It is showing due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. It is never forgetting that God created humankind in His image and in His likeness, and as a result, everyone is worthy of love and respect. When that is top of mind, it changes everything.

There is no mistaking God’s intent since the Bible makes it clear that stable families – and stable societies – are built around respect. The Bible commands us to honor our parents, respect civil authority, and respect church leaders. Wives are called to respect husbands in Ephesians. In the book of 1 Peter, husbands are called to respect wives. Just to make it clear that God leaves no one out, the Bible also says, “Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV). Everyone, regardless of beliefs or behaviors, is worthy of respect.[1] And if you give it, you will get it.

God made everyone. When He did, He looked at His creation and declared “it is good”. Created in His image and in His likeness, He made “…him a little lower than the angels, and … crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5 NKJV). God doesn’t make junk. Everyone has value. No one is worthless. People make wrong decisions, but they are still valuable to God. Even the most unlovable person in the world is loved by God. When you show someone respect, you show them their value as God’s creation.

Jesus died for everyone! He loved people enough to give His life for them. Even if people are judged unworthy by those around them, they are special in the eyes of God. If He felt that they were worth dying for, who can say that they don’t deserve love and respect? Loving and giving respect is evidence of knowledge of God, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Those who know God fill their lives with love. Love always treats people with respect. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:10 NLT). You’ll more easily respect others when you see them as God sees them, recognize what God has done for them, and try to love them more like He does.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making us in Your image and in Your likeness. Since we all are reflections of You, we owe each other love and respect. Forgive us for those times when we saw ourselves as better than others. Forgive us for those times we did not love others as we love ourselves. Forgive us when we chose not to see them as Your children. We want the world to see You through us, so help us to love and respect others in a way which glorifies You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection:

“Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love.”

(Miguel Angel Ruiz)

[1] Portion excerpted from Daily Hope with Rick Warren June 22, 2024