In the words of Aretha Franklin, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find out what it means to me.”
What exactly does respect mean to you? Maybe that’s not even the right question. Left up to the individual the meaning can take on a lot of different ideas. I know that respect can take on a variety of meanings depending on one’s upbringing, and everyone has an opinion on what it means.
The key to answering Ms. Franklin’s age-old question must not be left up to the individual. The key is turning to how respect is communicated to us in Scripture.
Exposing the Action to Respect One Another
What does it mean to respect one another?
When I think of respect I am often swept away, back into my military days. In the military we were always told that we are to respect the rank of an individual, even if we believed they didn’t deserve it. It was drilled into us that respect is earned and not assumed.
Well, my days in the military are over, and I have a different view of what respect truly means. Respect is something that should be given, but respect is not absent from an individual like taught in the military. Respect is something that is placed at the highest level of human value.
The importance of respect cannot be understated. When it is, human dignity is diminished. I believe the best way to define the meaning of respect and how we are to practice it with one another is: Respecting one another is an attitude of reverence and appreciation toward an individual that is held in high regard because of their immense worth as an image bearer of God.
This meaning is only my own, but it communicates the very same concept that the Bible gives us. So, what does God’s Word say about respecting one another?
What does the Bible say about respecting one another?
The Bible communicates the concept of respecting one another as one of the most important aspects of being in community with each other. The gathering of Scriptures that collaborate with one another to convey this message are not only many but are meaningful.
Since there are quite a few passages, I have divided them up in three subcategories in order to better communicate the central theme of respecting one another. The categories involve 1) how you think, 2) what you say and 3) how you act; all joining together to convey the meaning of respecting one another as identified above.
1) How you think.
Our thoughts have great influence on how we act, if we want to respect one another (action) we must think rightly about them. The apostle Paul speaks a lot about how our thinking effects our actions, consider the following list of allēlōn passages that appeal to our thinking.
- “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
- “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21)
- “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Gal. 5:26)
- “…Have equal concern for each other.” (1 Cor. 12:25)
- “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.” (Gal. 5:15)
2) What you say.
The way in which we think about respecting one another is only the beginning, what we say displays a lot as well. Scripture tells us that what comes out of our mouth proceeds from our heart (Matt. 12:34). Therefore, what we say matters in how we understand what the Bible says in regard to respecting one another. Consider the following list of allēlōn passages that appeal to what we should say to each other.
- “Do not lie to each other…” (Col. 3:9)
- “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)
- “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)
- “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:13)
- “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9)
3) How you act.
The final category involves our actions toward each other. When thinking of our actions we should be thinking about what we are motivated to do, keeping in mind that the principle we are talking about is empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is an important piece of the puzzle when considering some of the individuals and actions we are to practice. Consider the following list of allēlōn passages that appeal to how we should act toward one another.
- “…Outdo one another in showing honor.”. (Romans 12:10)
- “Be kind to one another…” (Eph. 4:32)
- “…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…”(1 Peter 5:5)
- “…be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50)
- “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (1 Cor. 11:33)
- “Live in harmony with one another…” (Rom. 12:16)
Why is respecting one another important for impacting the culture of your church?
I think by now that if you have been following our progression through the Allēlōn Principle that you see the impact that each aspect can have on the local body. As stated in previous blogs, the culture of the local church will take on the identity of those who make up the body, respecting one another is no different.
Respecting one another within your local body is only a portion of what needs to be practiced for the culture to be transformed, but it is a great start. Consider the information given above and see what you need to do to be a part of making change happen.
If the objective is to change the culture of your church, from one that is apathetic toward the things and ways of God to faithfulness and obedience to His commands, implementing a clear focus of the principles given in Scripture is paramount. It doesn’t get any clearer than what we have been addressing over the past few blogs. You can do it!
Conclusion
Maybe you enjoy Aretha Franklin’s view of what respect means to her. Or maybe you have your own idea of what respect should look like. What we cannot argue is that Scripture gives us plenty of examples of what respect truly is.
In the time to come, pursue a better understanding of the reciprocal action of respecting one another and continue to refresh yourself with the purpose and design of the Allēlōn Principle.
Allelon Principle 