“R – E – S – P – E – C – T “

8-10-2018

Respect

Aretha Franklin had it right when she sang “R – E – S – P – E – C – T “.

 

What is it that everyone should have unequivocally from everyone else, it is their respect. We used to teach it to our kids. We demanded it at home. “Johnny you will show respect to others.” Or “Suzie you will respect to your mommy.” What about “Son you will respect your elders.”

 

When did that cease to be taught at home or reinforced at school? When did it become socially acceptable for an employee to demand “anything” from an employer?

 

Demanding is not respecting and respecting is not demanding.

 

In the bible we are given three examples of respecting our parents that are commands from God.

 

• Exodus 20:12 (ESV) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

 

• Deuteronomy 5:16 (BBE) Give honor to your father and your mother, as you have been ordered by the Lord your God; so that your life may be long and all may be well for you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
• Ephesians 6:2 (NIV) “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise—

 

These same principles can and should be used in our dealings with others.

 

Why you might ask should be respectful of others?

 

“You will never meet another person whom God does not love!” – Unknown

 

We in America have gotten so far away from these very basic biblical principles. We want others to cater to our need, want and desires without any “strings attached”.

 

We are the drive through generation or to put it more bluntly, “It’s our right to it and we want it now!”

 

We have freedom in America that is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We have certain unalienable rights which Almighty God has given and our Constitution guarantees that our rights will not be taken away.

 

We also have rights that are often overlooked. One such right is “The right to remain silent.” That is one right that is reinforced on TV and in movies usually when a cop is reading his rights to a bad guy. Yet it applies to conversations between two people, especially when it turns into a heated exchange.

 

There is a saying that you can’t put the cat back in the bag; or don’t cry over spilt milk. Once you say something even in anger you cannot take it back. Saying I take that back doesn’t undo the damage already done.

 

The bible tells us that words are either life or death. We can speak positive or negative, and once you say it, it’s out there forever, bouncing around in the heads of everyone who heard it, or the minds of everyone who reads it.

 

We are told to judge for ourselves whether what we hear or read aligns up with the bible or not. If it does not agree with God’s Word we are told not to believe it. The life of a believer is one without compromising the Word and teachings of God with that of the world.

 

American politics is one of compromise. Politicians are prepared to give something in order to get something in return. So often they will change their position on something they really don’t want in order to get something they really want badly. That is the nature of the beast.

 

What has changed in the world today is a lack of respect for us, others and a blatant disrespect for politicians of another political party. We have gotten away from judging others by their actions and holding them responsible. In fact we don’t hold ourselves responsible and it has become easier to blame the other guy.

 

When it comes to our government we are told it is the answer to all our problems when it is often the problem without answers. There are many, many forms of government around the world. Some are better than others, some are not.

 

Our government is a republic. The Constitution is our rule of law as agreed to by each of our many states and that makes us a Constitutional-Republic different from any other in the world. The leadership of our nation comes from the Legislative Branch which is responsible for creating laws; The Executive Branch which is responsible for enforcing laws; and the Judicial Branch which is responsible for interpreting laws against the Constitution to insure they are sound. Yet the most important part of our government is “We the People” who have the option to repeal and replace our government should it get out of control.

 

That is one reason why respect is essential in the United States. Everyone and every part of government; whether an agency; a department; or a Cabinet must respect each other and our people as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

 

Disagreements should lead to discussions and ultimately to understandings and solutions while maintaining respect for all parties involved. It’s alright to respectfully disagree.

 

Migrants, immigrants and visitors or tourists must respect and follow the laws of our land, are to be respectful and are to be treated with respect. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Willful disobedience has sometimes severe consequences. – I am the Real Truckmaster!

 

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