Simple Home Living: it's all about respect

How can someone who doesn't understand the principles of respect really know God?

If a woman - who is to model respect toward her husband on her home front - doesn't, then how can her kids really get to know God? Isn't respect - honor - a foundation to knowing God?

A mini-series on respect - called: It's all about respect - begins here. This is part two - a study on respect written by my hubs a few years ago.

I. CULTIVATING RESPECT: In our hearts for a person (an attitude of respect –for people, positions, property)

TAKING TIME BEFORE GOD: Thinking this through and asking Him what respect should be shown to each person in each circumstance, whether it’s a respect that is initially given (unearned), or a respect that is earned. Both kinds of respect are mentioned in the Bible:

1) RESPECT - THAT IS NOT EARNED – respect that is to be given…
…because that person is made in God’s image: James 3:9-11
…because of their position in the family – position given by God (elder, husband, parent 1 Tim. 3:4,5; 6:1,2; 1 Pet. 3:1-3; Eph. 5:33)
…because of one’s age (just being older demands an unearned respect – 1 Pet. 5;5,6)
…because of position given in the church, government or in places of employment (Heb. 13:17; Romans 13:1-9; 1 Peter 2:17,18; Acts 23:1-5; Eph. 6:5-7)
…because a person communicated to me a clear and valid relational boundary that I am able to stay within without violating my conscience (it’s called proper respect; respecting a person’s decision -- 1 Pet 2:17)

2) RESPECT - THAT IS EARNED – by something we do. It’s a respect that is….
…given to those who are being self-controlled, by being full of faith, love and endurance (Titus 2:1-2)
…given to those who are being self-controlled (1 Tim 3:8)
…given by the unbeliever to those believers who are carrying their load day by day ( Thess 4:11-12)
…given to those leaders who are working hard (1 Thess 5:12-13)
…given to women who are being kindhearted (Prov 11:16)

B. REMOVING THE NEGATIVES (respecting God, heeding His word in relationships; removing the disrespect)
Not thinking evil in our hearts toward a person – not gossiping or breaking a confidence
Not listening to other reports about a person – not listening to gossip
Not taking anything to heart and making conclusions/judgments before hearing the whole story
Not taking a hurt for others – but rather encouraging the hurt person to first go to his/her offender and work things out one on one

C) BRINGING IN THE POSITIVES:
In times of conflict, resolve to deal with a person one on one first – as opposed to coming as a "group" (Matt. 18:15-19).

Pray for the person – until you get God’s perspective for that person; until you’re attitude can show the respect and love due that person.

See and appreciate the best in the person; not ignoring the negatives, but putting them in perspective to the whole person.