Respect part 1
I say this all the time: There are only two important things in the universe... God and people. Love God and love people. Love God BY loving people. And then I usually add that I'm not saying things like taking care of the earth AREN'T important. Romans 8:19-22 says it like this, "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." The entire world was given to man to have dominion over. And when man "fell" the EARTH was cursed. So it IS our responsibility. As far as I know it's the only home we've got. But my point is... if we don't love each other, what's the point of HAVING a home. We have to have our priorities straight. And at the top of the list HAS to be each other. We have to start treating each other with respect. Even when we disagree on things. ESPECIALLY when we disagree on things. Because we're still people. And we're still in this together. And we're still important. I think one of the things that got the people of Israel into so much trouble is this idea of "us vs them." They had this idea that they were chosen and everybody else was inferior. And I'm not saying that idea came out of nowhere. I'm simply saying that Old Covenant stuff doesn't really apply in the New Covenant. I know I'm throwing a lot of Scripture in here today, but I'm trying to build a foundation for this Rant series. Romans 11:17-18 in the Message Bible talks about how Israel WAS chosen first, but then a way was made for all of us. "Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you." Or, let me say it as simply as I can, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons" (Act 10:34). If God grafted us in... if God is no respecter of persons... if we are all different branches of the SAME tree... then can't we all just get along? Only if we see ourselves, and each other, that same way. Only if we are no respecter of persons. Or, to say it another way, only if we RESPECT all persons. Only if PEOPLE become our main priority. Only if we treat others in the way we would like to be treated. And, as always, that doesn't mean "I like Mt. Dew and I wish you would buy me some so I'm going to buy you some." Life doesn't work like that. Because you might not like Mt. Dew and then, in a sense, I've inadvertantly treated you badly. It simply means, if you think people should respect you... respect them. If you think someone should be kind to you... be kind to them. Instead of worrying about getting something--that's a selfish motive that has nothing to do with love whatsoever--simply give what you've got. Let what's inside come out. Wherever you are. To whomever you come into contact with. They say trust is earned, not given. But I think respect HAS to be given, no matter what. And when we start at that level... then we're building on a solid foundation.