Basic Christian Behavior - Part 2 "Respect"

What does it mean to respect someone or treat someone with respect? Do you think that people in general respect each other? Hopefully we do, but there are obviously times we do not. Why? Some would say "Respect has to be earned." Others might say "I'll treat someone with respect if they treat me with respect." What about people with different views? What about those in positions of authority?

Let's look at the definition proved by Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary:

• Main Entry: 1re·spect
  Pronunciation: \ri-ˈspekt\
  Function: noun
  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin respectus, literally, act of looking back, from respicere to look back, regard, from re- + specere to look — more at spy
  Date: 14th century
  1 : a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation 2 : an act of giving particular attention : consideration 3 a : high or special regard : esteem b : the quality or state of being
  
  

Now that we know the official definition of respect, would you say that in the past we respect people. Most of us would probably say "it depends". Just watch TV, listen to some of the music, just walk around, or listen to ourselves. I know that there are times I am not.


I would say that respect really boils down to a heart issue. Take a look what Luke wrote:

• Luke 6:45 (New International Version)
  45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

So if the problem is in our hearts, then we need to clean it up. Right? This would go back to last weeks message on love. We have to love people in order to truly respect them. The kind of love God has for us, unconditional.

Here is a good verse for ALL of us to start with:

• Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
  29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

If we will memorize this and say it every time we open our mouths, WOW. We have to replace the evil in our hearts with things that build each other up, instead of tearing down. By the way, this goes for body language as much as it does with our mouths.

You know that God created us as equals in His eyes. We may have different functions, gifts, and abilities, but equal. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That verse pretty much sums that up. So let's try to show respect for one another.

Steve

Basic Christian Behavior - Part 1 "Love"

When you hear the word Christian, what do you think of? Some of us have good images of Christianity while many do not. Sadly the world usually sees the term negatively. Why? I would probably have to say it would be not knowing what the Bible says about Jesus' life and following His example. So what does the Bible say about how we are to act? A little over a year ago, I came up with some guidelines for my youth group for expected behavior. Really they should be common sense, but I feel that we should all try to be the best representative for God we can be.


One of the most basic and the building blocks for all others in found in Matthew:

• Matthew 22:37-38 (New International Version)
  37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment.

What does it mean to love God with all your heart? Have you ever loved something, or someone, so much that you can't imagine being without it or them? That's how God feels about us. So if God states, in His word, that this is the first and greatest commandment, maybe we should pay closer attention to it. That pretty much leads into what Paul writes to the Corinthians's:

• 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
  Love
  1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
  4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
  8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
  13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Wow. Do you look at your relationships this template? If you did base your relationships with it, would you still be in those relationships? Look at the last seven words. Again love is most important. By the way, this includes yourself. I don't mean in a prideful way, but if you don't love yourself then you can't love anyone else.

• Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
  14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

If we really think about it we are not very loving to the one person we are always with. Think about how you talk to ourselves...Remember God doesn't make mistakes and He made you.

Ok, so we've looked at how we should love each other and ourselves. So what about people that you hate or hate you? You know the people that you may think are unlovable (yes, that applies to yourself). Glad you asked.

• Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
  Love for Enemies
  43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

It takes God's love through us to be able to love anyone, especially for us to love someone who we dislike or hate.

• Matthew 5:43-45 (New International Version)
  Love for Enemies
  43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

1 John 3:18 (New International Version)18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

From what I have studied about Jesus' life as an example, I think that He demonstrated His love ultimately by allowing Himself to be crucified for our sins. Now how are we going to imitate that love to the world around us?

Show love to someone that you wouldn't normally show love to this week and see what God will do.

Steve