Wisdom of Respect

Respect is perhaps a person’s deepest value. People are unique and different, yet they want to manage their own differences and commonality to some self-envisioned model. While doing this, they want to be accepted by others, yet maintain some level of uniqueness. Many struggle with this conundrum at various levels, but in the end, whether slightly or radically different, and whether others agree or disagree, people want others to respect them and their opinions or decisions. Most people recognize they need love, but in the beginning, they may need to feel respected even more than to feel loved. When people are expected to embrace something new or an unanticipated challenge, they find it easier to build new experiences based on modifying a basis of previous thoughts or opinions. As many people seek friends, they usually look for others who have shared some common experiences. By doing this, they anticipate an immediate basis for mutual struggles and a sense of struggles they share. From this common basis, people can move forward to modify their thoughts and actions with greater confidence. When one person does not accept and respect another person’s decisions or present situation, there will be great challenges to discussing any needed change with this person. When people can realize that we all have been sinful people in the past, including themselves, as Jesus chided the people who were about to stone the woman caught in adultery, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her”, Jn. 8:7 (ESV) Paul would later say, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 2:23 (ESV). It can be difficult to remember sometimes that those who have been cleansed, have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, are somewhere along a unique individual spiritual journey. Paul encouraged the Galatians, “For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.” Gal. 5:5 (ESV). Those who are targets of suspicion have not yet achieved full sanctification, but neither have those who are looking on. We all need to exercise grace toward others, respect them for the progress they have made; we must also realize neither are we at the end our own spiritual journey. We have more following the do before we achieve perfection.