1  Peter 2:17  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

 1  Peter 2:17  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Does it irritate you when people’s opinions are the opposite of your own?  Do you get impatient with parents or other teachers who have advice for you that doesn’t agree with your ideas?  Do you feel frustrated when you are unable to change someone’s opinions to match your own?

            Learning to respect the other persons’ right to think their own thoughts and follow their own ideas is a maturing process that many never master.  Each of us tends to believe that we know best!  The truth is that we can learn from anyone.  Sometimes we learn “how to do something;” sometimes we learn “another way to do something;” and sometimes we learn “how not to do something.” 

            We should seek to be an observer of life and of people.  We should inspect each new idea carefully by comparing that idea with the truth in scriptures.  If it is not in disagreement with the scriptures, we can be safe to examine the idea further.  However, if it does not agree with the Bible, we must recognize it as an error and reject it.  As Christians, all truth comes from the Word (the Bible).  It is our standard–our measuring rod.  We must remember to reject only the idea, not the person.  God loves each of us, even in our error.  Our unconditional love for someone in error may be the key to bringing that person to the truth someday.

            All of us can honor an authority’s position; respect the person; inspect their ideas, and know the truth.  We can remain friendly without forming a friendship.  We can honor a position without agreeing with the person.  We can esteem the person without accepting their philosophy.  They are God’s creation, and that is enough reason to treat others with respect and consideration.

Dear God, Teach me to mature in the area of esteeming, honoring and respecting others.  Sometimes my opinion of others is harsh and judgmental.  Teach me to see them through your eyes of love and compassion.