Respect
“In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect
for the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 17:7
A quality that is lacking in much of our society is respect. I think everyone
would acknowledge such, but few think about it. Fewer even care about it. Many
wish it would return to our society, yet few are willing to make the efforts
to restore it.
Many years ago, people were treated with respect. Those who held a public office,
those who served in a court of law, those who were teachers (either public or
trade-school), those who were elderly (or older) and those who were parents.
You have to admit that those days are gone. Why? Because parents do not teach
their children to respect people who deserve it. Our society as a whole has
learned not to expect this characteristic of respect anymore. Most are selfish
and look to only please themselves. Sadly, many do not even respect their own
bodies, reputation, or self. Many people do not respect the law. You see people
speeding and running stop signs all the time. And if they get caught by a policeman,
they certainly do not have words of respect towards such officer of the law.
Respect is rarely shown to anyone these days, but especially towards God. Ps
119:6 “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments”.
On the whole, people do not respect the word of God either. This passage tells
us that we will not be put to shame when it comes time to give an account of
our deeds done in our life. The person that keeps the commandments of God will
be accepted of God. The person who does not keep His commandments will be put
to shame. This passage also emphasizes the need to respect all the commandments
of God, and not just the few we are comfortable with.
Sadly in many churches the word of God is treated more like a doorstop or table
leveler than the instruction from God Himself. Many religious people profess
that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible “word of God” that deserves
such full respect, yet they pick and choose which parts they want to follow,
and which parts they feel they can ignore and still get to heaven. Many religious
groups have catered to public opinion and will not teach what is written by
God, but will try to make sinners feel good about themselves instead of telling
them they are lost and in violation of God’s will. If souls are going
to be saved, we must teach respect for God and His word. We much teach respect
for others. We must learn to respect our leaders and teachers and our elders,
and even ourselves.
We know that God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9).
You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your
sins. (Acts 8:37). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), you must confess
Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and you must be baptized for the remission of
sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then you must remain faithful and continue learning
how to serve God (2 Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey.
May God bless you in your study of His word.
Please visit us at: Eastside church of Christ at the corner of Strawn Rd and
Young St in Ranger Tx. We meet at 9:45am on Sunday for Bible class and at 10:45am
and 5:00pm for worship. We also meet on Wednesday at 7:00pm for Bible class.
Everyone is welcome to come visit us.
By Carey Scott 7/31/2011
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