Connecting Point: Respect and the Republic

The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield was well known for his: “I get no respect”: “When I was a kid, I got no respect. I played hide-and-seek. They wouldn’t even look for me,” he quipped in his gravelly voice, his eyes sort of bugging out. “When I was a kid, I got no respect. I told my mother, I’m gonna run away from home.” She said, “On your mark.” Dangerfield passed away in 2015 after open-heart surgery, and the States lost a great comedian.

Almost all of the old-timers in the public service sector, tell me they have experienced a long decline in simple common-sense decency. I want us to look at this from another angle: Disdain.

Cambridge Dictionary defines disdain “as the felling of not liking someone and thinking that he or she does not deserve your interest or respect.” With how words change meaning over time, it’s my estimation that respect has morphed from admiration of one’s qualities or

accomplishments to somehow be equivalent with compliance or agreement. That narrower meaning robs the word of its greater meaning.

But the Bible is for Christians the foundation for belief. In the Bible, Christ was all about honoring the Father, and others as yourself. Respect is tied closely to loving and honoring others. 1 Peter 2:17 gives us a “blanket” approach regarding respect, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” These four areas cover all the possible relationships in our lives.

According to God, our aim is to respect all people because we are created equally in his likeness, and we all have value based on this reality. Divisions abound in our community, in our

families and in our churches. We have to persevere through these and patience and prayer are standard props that will keep you standing upright. Christ-like virtues in these situations are easily forgotten. Getting on board with God starts with this prayerful attitude to remain under Christ’s cross in common decency!

“Fear God” is often misunderstood but is again simply tied to respect. Mark my words, some will always attempt to remove God. When this happens remain steadfast.

Also, the Bible teaches us to respect governing authorities. Yes, I know the politically charged environment we’re in is quite toxic. Just as a reminder, Christ and God must be our greater portion.

Peter states, “Honor the emperor.” Do keep in mind, Biblical writers lived under dictatorships and tyrants. Christians are to respect the office because any leader still falls under God’s authority. We certainly can disagree with policies and practices, but let’s do that at a respectful level, never compromising the Gospel. Lastly, maybe all of us could use a little Rodney

Dangerfield humility.