To consider worthy of high regard; to esteem.” That’s how Webster defines the word “respect.” I grew up during the 1940s and 50s when, at least in our home, respect was a big thing. We were taught to respect God and the authority of His Word. We were taught to respect our parents, grandparents and siblings. We were taught to respect school teachers and Sunday School teachers. We were taught to respect policemen. We were taught to respect older people. We were taught to respect the dignity of work. We were taught to respect God’s house and also how you dress when you go to God’s house. And the list goes on.
Some may say this middle-aged man has become nostalgic for his growing-up years. Maybe I have. Perhaps it’s the lack of respect in today’s society that causes me to become nostalgic. remember that one day in the early 50s our family was going somewhere in a hurry. We were running late, and getting there on time was important. Up ahead was a slow-moving vehicle cruising along at 25-30 miles an hour. As we got closer we all recognized the car’s occupants as “John and Mary,” an elderly couple from our church. But even though we were running late and very much in a hurry, my dad wouldn’t pass the couple! At the time I didn’t understand his rationale, but I do now. He wouldn’t pass “John and Mary” for two reasons. First, they were older, and you respect older folks. And secondly, he felt strongly that you should never pass members of our congregation. That would show disrespect. So we simply arrived late that day! But in the process we had been taught a lesson in respect.
Romans 13 is a chapter that talks much about respecting those in authority. Specifically the chapter has to do with respect toward the law and toward government leaders. But the chapter has even broader implications, because verse 7 (NIV) says: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” I don’t see a lot of respect being shown today–in the home–on the job–in the schoolroom–in the neighborhood or in the church. To me it’s a sad commentary on how far our society has regressed. While “doing your own thing” is the mood of the day, we all needed to be reminded that there are some things that you do–and there are some things that you don’t do–simply out of respect!