Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Keeping first things first”
Our Bible verse for today: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17
Our thought for today: “Treat people with dignity and respect.”
I was once in a close working relationship with a man with whom I had deep and fundamental disagreements on important ethical issues. I sometimes felt as if my own integrity was at stake because of the positions he had taken and which directly affected me because we worked together.
At one point a disagreement between us became heated and in the middle of it he made an observation which stopped me in my tracks. He said, “Jim, I know you disagree with me but I think you also have disdain for me as a person.” The reason that comment brought me up short was because as he said it I realized it was true. Beyond just disagreeing with him on important and fundamental points of principle, I had come to disdain and disrespect him as a person.
In 1 Peter 2:17 Peter was giving Christians guidance about our relationships with others. In crisp, short phrases he addresses our relations with God, other Christians, government officials, and other people in general. With respect to other people in general, the Amplified Bible translates it, “Show respect for all men (treat them honorably) … “
I recently read a statement that said, “Jesus honored the dignity of every person, whether he disagreed with them or not.” I think that’s true. The only possible exception could be the way He felt about the religious leaders of His day with their arrogant hypocrisy. When they perverted religion for their own personal gain, and abused their positions of authority by using it to control people, Jesus got angry and lit into them. But in all other cases we read of Him treating everyone with dignity and respect. That was true whether He was dealing with faithful and obedient disciples, or a woman caught in adultery, or a notorious tax collector, or a Roman soldier, or even Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.
Treating people with dignity and respect is easy when we’re dealing with a nice person whom we like. It’s much more difficult when we find ourselves having to interact with someone we don’t like, or with whom we disagree, or a person who has done someone wrong and must now be held accountable for their actions. In situations like that it’s harder to treat them respectfully, but doing so is probably even more important then.
I see an excellent example of that every time I appear in court with one of the men I’m working with in the jails. Regardless of the offense the incarcerated man has committed, the Judge and all of the attorneys always address him with the title “Mr.” They also call him “Sir” and they ensure their tone with him is measured and calm and professional.
This is what Peter was referring to. It’s also what Jesus modeled for us and I believe it’s what we need to strive for in our relationships with others.
First things first, we must treat others with dignity and respect.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 