RESPECT 101

Malachi 1:6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the Lord Almighty.

In the 1890 American Public School ‘Primer of Ethics’, it is written: God is the creator, and we ought to adore Him. He has made laws, and we ought to obey them. He forgives the penitent – He loves all His creatures; and we ought to love Him. He is always near us, and ready to listen to us, and we ought to pray to Him for help, guidance and protection. His power is always present with you and around you.

Every duty which we have to perform is required of us by God; so that we cannot neglect any duty whatever, without disobeying Him; which is, as it were, a double sin. When a person does wrong to their fellow man, they are being unjust and oppressive to their neighbor. If the action is expressly forbidden by law, then, in addition to the sin against their neighbor, they would be guilty of being disobedient to the law – breaking it. Now, the law of God clearly forbids all the sins of which we can be guilty against anyone; so that we cannot do any wrong without disobeying Him. Therefore, if a person is unjust, disrespectful, deceives, wastes time, or is insubordinate and troublesome to their fellow man or woman, they disobey and displease God. Every offense which we can commit, small as well as great, is a transgression of His law; and we cannot really be happy after we have committed such transgressions, until we repent and obtain His forgiveness. We ought, therefore, to make it the great duty and business of our lives to secure and enjoy, at all times, the favor of Almighty God, our Father in heaven. We should seek His pardon for our sins, go to Him always in our troubles, look to Him for protection in danger, for strength in temptation, for comfort in sorrow, and for peace and happiness in duty; and we should cultivate such constant habits of intercourse and communion with Him, as shall help us, under all circumstances of life, to feel that He is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in time of trouble.

1 Peter 3:8-18: Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

How would our children and adults act, and what would this nation be like, if this lesson on respect was still taught in our schools today? Why did this teaching ever stop? Hearts, minds and souls seek this truth.

Love & Respect, in Christ, Brian