God Expects Respect

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 19, 2017

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?’ Says the LORD Almighty.   Malachi 1:6

Almighty God expects respect due His name, for He is your heavenly Father, your Lord and Master. The quantity of respect due Him makes respect to the monarchs of this world look minuscule. This is one reason followers of Jesus attend church; it honors Him. Worship, teaching the Bible, and fellowship with other followers of Christ show respect for the Lord. It may be subtle but people slip into a role reversal when they expect respect from people on earth, while they extend little or no respect toward heaven. Because of your honor and admiration of Him, you can’t help but exclaim His goodness and glory.

Respectful people are quick to extend respect. They do not sit back and wait for respect, but take the time to offer it. So, love God as your heavenly father and submit to Him as your Master. It is disrespectful to disregard the things of God and drive ahead in your own strength. However, respect slows down, listens to the Lord, and connects with Christ’s wisdom. You show respect by relishing your role as follower and God’s role as leader. Be respectful by way of regular prayers and following His voice of reason. Respect for the Lord leads to respect for others. This is a natural place to grow in your respect for people.

“Your loving kindness leads to respect. Wisdom says, “A kindhearted woman gains respect…”(Proverbs 11:16a).

People are all made in the image of their Maker, and they long for respect. The DNA of your soul regularly requests respect. So, start by receiving respect from the One who is entitled to all respect. God honors His children, and He respects you as the apex of His creation. He does not disrespect His own; you are a work of His grace and a reflection of His glory. Once you receive God’s respect, give it to others, even when they are disrespectful.

Respect does not mean you mutter in disagreement on the inside and smile on the outside. It means you voice your concerns and conflicting ideas clearly, concisely, and with a spirit of humility and calmness. Respect resists attacking people and instead challenges assumptions and processes, so it goes a long way in relational growth. There is a good chance a wife will experience deeper love at a more consistent level when she respects her husband.

The Bible teaches the husband is to love his wife and, “…the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33b). Therefore, figure out what makes your husband feel respected. It may be bragging on him in front of friends or pulling back your spending. Respect wells up in his heart when you want to spend time with him and learn about his work. It sets the table for love, as it is an invitation to be loved. Respect is foundational for relational intimacy, so use it well and extend it often. No one has ever complained about too much respect. Therefore, exhibit respect often to God and man.

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

Prayer

Application

Related Reading

Post/Tweet today

Worship Resource