Respect: A Pillar of a Civilized Society

One of the pillars of a civilized society is respect.

This is certainly true for Christians living in and trying to influence the culture.

We must have respect for one another; for every person is created in the image of God. Once we’ve lost that sense of respect for one another, we are on the road to chaos. If we stop and look around us, we will note that we are losing respect for the living and the dead. How can we teach our children to have respect when our political leaders, entertainers, media personalities, social media “influencers,” church officials, business leaders, and more have no respect for one another, the institutions they serve, the people with whom they disagree, and the religious beliefs of others?

We must have respect for authority, but those with authority need to also have respect for others. It is a two-way street. It is true that those with authority can use fear, but fear is not respect, and sooner or later fear turns to bitterness, and bitterness leads to chaos.

We must have respect for the basic institutions of society—religious, educational, governmental, and the familial. But these institutions must also show respect to the citizenry.

A religious institution does not show respect by joining in the noise and actions of the secular society. When people can’t tell the difference in religious beliefs and secular ideology, a religious institution is not displaying respect for itself.

An educational institution—public or private schools, colleges, universities, trade schools etc.—must respect their teachers and their students. And it is here in our educational institutions that respect must be taught. If a student is not taught to respect their teacher, how can a teacher be effective? And if a teacher does not respect students, how can students learn respect, and how can they learn in an atmosphere where they’re not respected, but, students, to be respected, be respectful.

And how do we even begin talking about respect in the same sentence as our modern governmental institutions. When those who are, in a democratic society, elected to govern fail to show respect for one another, how can they expect the general populace to respect them, and without some sense of respect governing becomes impossible. One doesn’t have to agree with another in order to respect another. However, there can be no respect in an atmosphere of lies, taunting, dividing, bullying, deception, and craziness. When the populace no longer has respect for those who govern, the road becomes chaotic, and one needs to ask, where will chaos lead?

Anger is permeating our society. We don’t need a sociological study to show us the anger that is on the faces of people everywhere.

Division is tearing our country apart, and everyone keeps blaming “them”—everyone else, instead of accepting responsibility and doing something about it. We allow the talking heads on our television screens to build our animosity against one another, and we permit our politicians to divide us with their fear-mongering and deceptions. And yes, preachers are guilty too. {For Christians, we need to heed the word of the Lord that calls on us to make “every effort to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)} Some religious leaders are bound and determined to do everything they can to stoke the fires of division instead of proclaiming a clear message of the love of God, forgiveness, and salvation that is the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

It is sad to see and hear what is happening.

It is sad that we can’t disagree without being disagreeable.

It is sad to see the lies and deception that has become “acceptable.”

It is sad to see the language we use displays our lack of respect for others and ourselves.

It is sad to see our church pews emptying as more and more people give up on the church.

It is sad to see that people who are elected leaders are so immature and childish.

It is sad to see the lack of respect that surrounds us.

It is sad to see the road we’re on…

Nations rise and fall. Societies grow and die. Cultures come and go.

The powers of today can become the powerless tomorrow.

The influential society of today can become the chaotic society of tomorrow.

The sophisticated culture of today can become the crude culture of tomorrow.

When John saw the door of heaven opened, and was invited to come and see what MUST take place, amidst his view of the rainbow of hope, the twenty-four elders, the seven strange living creatures, he also saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. (See Revelation 5.) [We should understand that John is trying to paint a picture for us of the vision he is being given, and trying to find words to describe what he saw is no easy task. So when he writes about the right hand of the One on the throne, we should understand that he’s using metaphors, signs, and symbols—apocalyptic language—to help us “see” what he saw.]

The scroll is full of writing. Nothing else can be written on the scroll. It is sealed with seven seals. Nothing can be taken from the scroll. God’s plan is complete and perfect, and will be revealed in God’s time. When John becomes upset that no one is found worthy to open the scroll, an angel reminds him that there is one who can. As it turns out, it is the Lamb that looked like it had been slaughtered. Indeed, the Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ, was executed by crucifixion to save us from our sin.

And when this “Lamb” took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne, we are given a clear picture of respect and more.

First, the four living creatures—representing all of creation—and the twenty-four elders—from the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles—fell before the Lamb—respect.

They hold golden bowls of incense, “which are the prayers of the saints.” Those on earth who are praying have their prayers delivered to the Lamb and to the One on the throne. Yes. Your prayers are heard, even when it seems they’re not.

In an act of respect and worship, they all join in singing:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God

saints from EVERY tribe and language and people and nation;

you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God

and they will reign on earth.”

If there are people form EVERY tribe and language and people and nation who are a part of the kingdom of God, shouldn’t we have respect for those same people?

Peter heard the voice, “What God made clean, you must not call profane.”

Peter’s conclusion, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (See Acts 10.)

And Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:9-11)

Respect.

Respect for one another.

Respect for God’s creation.

Respect for God and for the “Lamb” of God who takes away our sin.

Will we, as a society, find the maturity to have respect, or will we continue on the road we’re on?