Why We Ought To Treat Each Other With Respect

Treating others with respect is easy when all is well, when we look up to them, when they are exemplary and when we know they like us.

But what happens when these ideals fall apart? When the person you looked up to tarnishes their image before you, when the person you liked no longer likes you back, or when someone is 'not as important as you are' or 'not important to you'?

Each of these circumstances, and many others not mentioned here, may cause us to lose our respect for these people. It almost comes naturally, but natural is not always right!

We ought to treat everyone with respect because they are all precious in God's eyes. Even those who do terrible wrong (and we are all sinners) are dearly loved by God.

When you feel someone is 'beneath' you, realize that that is a very prideful attitude. No one is 'beneath' you. You may employ someone or be in authority over someone but always remember that the least among us is the greatest before God.

Treat everyone around you with respect because the second greatest commandment is 'love your neighbor as yourself ' do to others as you would have them do to you. Now it is easy to do so when the other party is respecting you. But what happens when they disrespect you? Remember this 'do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good'. Do not retaliate. It is to the glory of man to overlook an offence.

Now this does not mean we embrace evil, no. We are to hate evil, evil is bad. It is painful and it is just wrong. But we are not to cultivate hatred and bitterness for the people, we are to get rid of these and instead love our enemies. Bless them and pray for them.

Luke 9:48 "Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest."