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Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank for “Kingdom Pastor” @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com
Original post @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com/2023/05/17/respect-is-earned-but-is-it/
“RESPECT IS EARNED!” BUT…IS IT?
Posted on May 17, 2023 by Pastor Randy
How many of us have been taught and told this: “Respect is earned!”? This morning, much like the angel did at the Pool of Siloam, the Spirit troubled the waters of my thinking. I had been thinking about another potential blog when He interrupted my thinking. I hate it when He does that. Just messes up my whole thinking processes. Out of nowhere, I thought this: “Respect is earned!” And just as soon as I thought it, He troubled the waters of my thinking with that blessed question: “Is it really earned? Or should it be simply given?”
Being a preacher, pastor, and teacher, my knee jerk reaction was: “Show me in the Bible where it’s mandated I respect those who haven’t earned my respect!!!” I should have known better than to say that! Really, I should have, because HE, The Holy Spirit, knows The Bible better than everyone else, and He knows how to apply it. Nonetheless, I threw that question out. And because of my Respect for The Holy Spirit (because He has Earned my Respect), I had to listen to His answer. To do otherwise would make me the biggest hypocrite of all. And do you know what He said? I’ll show you:
So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
Genesis chapter 1, verse 27; from the New Living Translation; (emphasis mine)
I wanted to say to Him, “What’s that got to do with respect?”, but I knew better. I was already behind the 8-ball. Once those waters that He troubled settled down, I got a new perspective. Look at the definition of that word, Respect: “esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person”. And what does THE FACT that every human being has the Image of God inside them have to do with Respect? What’s the connection between Genesis chapter 1, verse 27 and Respect?
And here it is: The opposite of Respect is Disrespect! When we Disrespect any person, we are, in fact, Disrespecting God because His Image is inside that person. There are no degrees of Disrespect. Degrees are for colleges and weather. One of the words that is the exact opposite of Respect is Disdain! When we withhold Respect from any person simply because that haven’t earned it, we are showing Disdain for God. We are in fact saying: “God, you have to earn my Respect!” Do you really want to tell God that???
Respect isn’t something that is earned; it is something to be given–to everyone! And just in case you need a reason to show Respect, then here it is: The image of God is inside every person; and there are no exceptions! Dear, me. My ESPN just kicked in. One of you readers just asked, “You mean the image of God is inside Donald Trump?” And another reader just asked, “You mean the image of God is inside Joe Biden?” Oh, me. More of you are asking, “God’s image is inside gay people? Murderers? Pedophiles? Muslims? Hindus? Etc.?”
And THE answer (not mine, but God’s answer) is a resounding ABSOLUTELY! Because some people are unwilling to live into and out of that Image doesn’t mean it’s not there. And because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent. Folks, there’s a lot of noise out there about the lack of Respect for and in life. And I can’t, I won’t, argue with you about that fact. If you want to see Respect for all life–then you need to SHOW Respect for all life–even if they haven’t earned it. Now, Trust is earned! But Respect? It’s to be GIVEN without conditions. And just in case you disagree with me–and want to know Jesus’ take on Respect, here it is. I’ll allow you to connect the dots.
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Matthew chapter 7, verse 12; from the NLT
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
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