The word “respect” comes from two words: Re-meaning “again” and Spect-meaning to “view or to see”. Spect is the word we have derived the term spectacles, or glasses, which help us see the world around us, the lens through which we see others.
Respect literally means to “see again”, or to
have a “new view” or to take a “second look”, to see others in an all-new way;
giving others an all-new higher value in our minds worthy of high regard. It is
the lens through which we see others.
Respect is something which God has called us
to have one for another in our dealing with others and for any and all with
whom we interact.
We should treat others with a view of high
regard of high worth and value. Unfortunately, this is not always the
case. 1Pet: 2:17a
We can see in the world in which we live,
attitudes of condensing views and treatment of others, of esteeming others as
having less and of little value. This is the lens by which they view the world.
Often, these attitudes are learned and are
taught and reinforced by the given social strata in which we live and move.
It can be seen that these attitudes are
founded upon economics or vocational accomplishment or some other shared
association, such as schooling and or other like experience which lead some
persons to view others around them, who are not a part of their shared
association as being less then themselves or of less value, forming an
“echeloned society” creating an “us and them” mentality, this is the lends by
which some view the world.
At times this “echeloned society” leads some
persons, even Christians, to disenfranchise others around them, often in a
deliberate effort to emphasize the unique value which some see in themselves
and their associates. This spawns favoritism. Jam: 2:1:1
This “echeloned society” view and way of
seeing others as “undervalued” sadly has even found its way among some
Christians and their view of others who are not a part of their “valued social
echelon” both in the world and in the Church.Jam:2:2-4
This “echeloned society”, which manifest
itself in attitudes of disrespect toward others is not the way our Lord Jesus
lived during his life upon the earth. Philp: 2:1-4
Jesus treated all people with a great value
and deep respect. Jesus saw all humanity as valued objects of his Father’s
divine love, knowing that this eternal divine love assigned great value on the
lives of all humanity; this is the way that Jesus saw everyone; this is how we
should see all others that of having great value for all others.
That value which all have to God should be
manifested in our dealings with each and all persons, this is the attitude and
how we see others around us. Philp: 2:5
We, each and all, need to see the people
around us as being or having great value, to have a new view of them and to
show them great respect as valued objects of our Father’s divine love.
Seeing people around us again or in this new
way puts an end to the “us and them mentality” and deconstructs the “echeloned
society” which breeds contempt and disenfranchisement of others. This lead will
us to honor each and all as valued objects of God’s love. Rm: 12:10
We all need to “see others again” as God see
them, with an all-new respect, as they are all highly valued objects of
our Father’s divine love this should be our lens.
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Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma
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