RESPECT

I Was Just Thinking About – RESPECT.

Recently, a person who was trying to give a type of eulogy following the death of Aletha Franklin was mocked/ridiculed when he spelled the word respect - “R-E-S-P-“I”-C-T.” Aside from his misspelling of the word, the idea of respect should be part of one’s interpersonal relationship with others, especially, but not exclusively,  with those who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. In a general way, Paul set a marker for one’s cultural and governmental duty in Romans 13:7, “Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” It is the last two phrases that we need to reflect upon – “respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” Respect and Honor should be part of one’s lifestyle and thinking? But – is it?

Leviticus 19:32 indicates the behavior God expects and requires of His people: “You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the Lord.” Is respect and honor shown in a Biblical way toward the elderly in your sphere of relationships as well as within the Church and Church Courts? Some time ago, a friend who posts helpful and succinct words of encouragement wrote about the act of “condescending”. When used as a verb, it means: “to put aside one’s assumed dignity or superiority voluntarily and assume equality with one who is regarded as being inferior.” Is it a Biblical posture, attitude and behavior? No! Is this a mandated requirement of one who is a servant and follower of Jesus Christ? No! Is there a word that Jesus would use to describe this posture, attitude and behavior? Yes! He would label it hypocrisy.

In an encompassing way, First Peter 2:16-18 sets a standard for one’s posture, attitude and behavior for all kinds of circumstances and conditions. He wrote: “…live as servants of God. Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.” Those who claim to be strict followers of Jesus Christ do not always exhibit those postures, attitudes and behavior.

For those who have taken time to view Funeral Services on television, or attend a local Funeral for an acquaintance, eulogies are almost always expected or become part of the service. One result is that sometimes a person becomes larger in death than they were in life. To say, or have said, glowing comments makes attenders feel better about the sad occasion. If you attend enough funeral exercises, you will probably leave with a thought – “I didn’t know that about so and so.” My own personal thought is – if there are nice things you wish to say about the deceased at a funeral, why not say it to the person beforehand rather than after their earthly departure?

Some people may even have regrets because of their past relationship with the deceased. If they don’t, they really should. Some people deserved honor and respect rather than animosity or retaliation. The disrespectful should use the funeral as a time for admitting their guilt and sin; confessing it to the Lord, and seeking His forgiveness for one’s personal ill-feelings and mistreatment of a brother or sister in Christ. It’s never too late to get one’s life and past actions right with the Lord. If you fail to adhere to God’s Word now, there is a time coming when you’ll wish that you had.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.