I have the opportunity to direct the Character Education program for the Union High School football team. In that role I speak to the team on Tuesdays and Thursdays (or arrange a guest speaker, usually one of our ministers) and pray at the end of the games on Friday. I have been at it for four weeks and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Each week I have the chance to address forty to fifty young men about what it means to be a man. I appreciate very much our head coach Brent Eckley, who attends First Christian (the same church I attend)because he is not only dedicated to winning games, but he is committed to building men. He insists on Character Education and he, himself, leads the pregame prayer.
One of the many things that stand out to me in this role is the respect that the football team shows to the coaching staff and to me or anyone else that addresses the team. For those who have a negative view of kids today, I think you would be amazed. These young men are learning and demonstrating great respect in how they listen, speak and conduct themselves. They are not perfect, but I do find it refreshing to get the chance to share with them. They caused me to think a bit about respect this week.
How do we do, as Christians, with regard to respect? Peter challenges us in 1 Peter 2:17, "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." In the context of this verse Peter is telling believers that they need to live in such a way that God is glorified by what they do. He admonishes them to be submissive and to be humble. Let's take a look at the three-part challenge issued in this verse.
To begin, the "umbrella statement" is made. The charge is to "show proper respect to everyone." The word for "respect" is a word that can be translated "honor." A Christian ought to be known for how he or she treats/honors those around them. After giving that principle, Peter then gets more specific. He notes three ways in which this should be seen.
He says, "love the brotherhood of believers." This charge is pretty direct. The word "brotherhood" implies a "band of brothers." Peter's point is that Christians must show they have respect by genuine love for each other. I wonder, sometimes, how we are doing in that regard? I don't know if many people today connect "respecting" others with "loving" others. This should be seen in how we talk to, talk about, write about and interact with each other. Are those situations "loving" or are they something else? How can we say we respect and talk badly about one another? How can we say we respect and hold a grudge against a brother or sister?
Peter continues, "fear God." Many times Bible teachers want to connect the word "fear" with the word "respect." I believe there is a connection, but the word literally here is "fear" or "be afraid." Peter is telling us that showing "proper respect" means to "fear God." It refers back to Proverbs 9:10 which says that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." What does it mean to "fear God?" As I walked tonight, I thought about that. I think it might have something to do with recognizing his holiness and our sinfulness; to think about what Isaiah said in Isaiah 6:5 upon seeing the Lord, "Woe to me! I am ruined; for I am a man with unclean lips." I believe there are quite a few Christians today who believe that God is awfully lucky to have them on his team. It seems to me that there may be a lot of Christians infected with a "head trip" rather than recognize the "headship" of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter concludes with the admonishment to "honor the King." In this text he is talking about the political leaders of his day. Christians ought to be exemplary citizens. I want to give myself and other politically active Christians a warning as the political season heats up. We are to be involved and express our values. We are not to speak negatively or in a derogatory manner against any of our leaders. This is not respect and not befitting a follower of Jesus Christ.
I will continue to look forward to sharing with the young men of Union in the next couple of months. I want to thank them for reminding me to think about respect again. I hope you've thought about it, too.
Thanks for reading...
