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.
Benediction: May We Each and all ever see others as our Heavenly Father see them, Today, Tomorrow and Forevermore. Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
Topinabee Community Church
Topinabee, Michigan
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