Misplaced Respect
You’ve probably heard it. You may have said it. When the name some politician comes up in a discussion, you can rest assured that somebody will at least be thinking it.
“I do not respect him/her, but I respect the office.”
Those few words say a lot. Most of what is said is not good. Part of the message is that some particular individual is (at least in the eyes of the one making the statement) unworthy of respect and honor. Their character may be flawed. Their abilities may be very limited. The people with whom they associate may be unsavory. Any number of reasons may be given. The bottom line is that they are deemed unworthy of respect.
At the same time, those words indicate a respect for such things as authority, rule of law, a functioning society, etc. In fact, they indicate a respect for God who instructs us through His Word “…that prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions… (1 Tim. 2:1-2, emphasis added).
There are many areas of life in which it is true that a position can be respected without any real knowledge of the type of person holding that position. For example; I do not necessarily need to know anything about the person wearing a police uniform in order to follow instructions given to me. The mere presence of the badge (and that gun on the hip) will help me to respect the position.
The person who owns the company for which I may work may be a real scoundrel. It would be wise, though, to demonstrate respect for the position whether or not I respect the person. That would be true especially if I enjoy getting paid on a regular basis.
Should I fail to turn in assignments in school because the person in front of the classroom does not “measure up” morally? The answer to that question may be determined by whether or not I would like to continue my education.
What might be appropriate in the areas alluded to here and many others should never be an option in the church. Such things as character, devotion, godliness, and commitment are absolute necessities for those who would attempt to serve in any leadership role among God’s people.
Those who would attempt to lead God’s people need to exemplify such traits. They are not to “throw their weight around.” Rather, they should lovingly and patiently develop a relationship with those they would want to follow them.
It is to be a relationship based upon trust and respect.
It is to be a relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.
It is to be a relationship based upon mutual trust and respect for individuals, not necessarily
positions.
But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:25-28)
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