The Respect Bump

I was struck today, by an epiphany. The blow was not fatal, but actually created a surge in energy and purpose. I have to show you the bump.


Respect is a natural consequence of faith. Therefore, a person with authority issues will have difficulty taking God at His word. In Matthew 8, Jesus is "amazed" at the faith of the centurion. What did the centurion do, how did he show this "amazing" faith? He amazed the Son of God. He recognized the authority of Jesus. Jesus' authority over him, his servant and the sickness afflicting the servant. The centurion understood that because of Jesus' authority, a simple command would change the situation. The centurion respected Jesus. He understood authority. Ladies and gentlemen, those with and without bumps, faith is seeing the authority of Jesus as ultimate. Faith is not a religious exercise, spiritual effort, a routine or program. Like the centurion, you must live your life as though Jesus were king and has the final word in your affairs.


Respecting Jesus would seem to be wise. However, many say they believe in Jesus, yet live lives full of contempt and disrespect. You might actually ask "I can see respecting Jesus. He is respectable. But my boss, parents, teachers, pastor do not deserve my respect".


How can you, in one breath serve Jesus as Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent and in the next breath, assert that people in authority over you are there without God's direction? You may say "I am not saying they are in authority without God's direction. I am just saying they are not worthy of my respect". So, you will respect God, but not those who have His delegated authority?


The first commandment with a promise in the Bible is "Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth".

Based on our current culture, that commandment must read "Honor your father and mother, if they agree with you, never abused you, don't embarass you and never share their opinions with you". The promise says nothing about them being worthy of honor. The command does not leave room for you to judge your parents.

The way many Christians treat their pastors, spouses, employers and children does not bear the aroma of honor and respect; rather, the stench of arrogance. We are called to be whole, complete integrated people. Therefore, how can we be one thing in church, but be so radically different at home and in the workplace?

I will leave for now this thought: if I say I trust God with my life, and honor Him, how should I treat those He has placed in authority?