C'mon, I can't be the only one whose very first reference is to that catchy Aretha Franklin song? Well, Aretha and I share a goal with one slight caveat: rather than finding out what it means to me, let's explore God's opinion on the virtue. There's something about the way we expect to be treated by others than seems almost built-in. We easily identify its lack when others appear to have no regard for the dignity of another, and as authority gets continually questioned (and yes, even in the Church) it seems like this quality is about as watered down as it can get. What used to be a given, is now something that needs to be taught, and if you don't believe me, just take a quick looksie at the world we're living in. Respect gives way to appreciation, love, and trust, and I long that we might return to a spiritual understanding of this word which can help us better live it out in our relationships with ALL our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as who are made in His image but don't know Him. Implicit in the Biblical definition of "respect", at least according to the Greek, is a reverence based on the fear of God, NOT of man. It is the way we are to go about defending our faith (1 Peter 3:15), how we are to submit to those God has placed over us (1 Peter 2:18), and it even appears to be associated with the command to repay it as a debt (Romans 13:7). We'll talk about that last one more in a moment, but for now here is our working definition of the word: Respect is the dignified way we honor another, the very least we can do to demonstrate the love of God, the action which reveals that it is Him we reverence Lest you think him perfect, Paul failed in this as recorded in Acts 23 (the passage He had me in this morning, yes, on the very day I type this because that's just how awesome He is!). He was before the council and this is how it went down: "And looking intently at the council, Paul said, 'Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.' And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, 'God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?' Those who stood by said, 'Would you revile God's high priest?' And Paul said, 'I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" Acts 23: 1-5 Certainly, a slap in the face would seem to justify Paul's response, at least in our eyes, yet the Spirit was quick to remind him of truth, a quote which is a bit more explicit in Exodus: "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people." (Exodus 22:28) The Holy Spirit gently chided Paul with the concept that to revile a ruler whom God had put in charge was to revile the very God who had put him there. After all, he was in that very moment, God's vessel to pour out the love of His God which took on the form of respect.
And truthfully, a lot of times this is the simplest way we can reflect Christ. I'm going to say something now to my fellow white believers that may be hard for you to hear: we are in deep debt to our black brothers and sisters in Christ. We are behind in our payments of respect , and only the One who is able to correct something so outstandingly grievous is the One who could clear our debt of sin. He can help you (and me) begin to see the chasm of our own making, ask forgiveness and start anew with a clean slate. If you are looking for a shortcut to loving others, if that virtue of love feels too daunting, start here with respect. Many a war has started because of the loss of this, but that doesn't need to continue! Begin by looking at each person as the creation of Your God that they are. God came up with the idea of them including their personality, He has even chosen to continue to sustain their very life when he could snatch it away in a moment. Remember that in your hard conversations, in your awkward interactions, in your desire to avoid them or hold on to apathy. Acknowledge where you've failed and move forward with the help of your loving God.
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Brittany Van RynWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
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