respect yourself and others

"Respect yourself and others" caps off our list of six principles. This principle reminds us to look both inward and outward when applying the principles. The Bible teaches,

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

Notice that while Scripture teaches respect for everyone, the expression of that respect will be different for different groups of people. The apostle Peter identifies three groups: the family of believers, God, and the emperor. Toward fellow believers, we respect one another by showing love, even the love of Christ toward one another (John 13:34-35). Toward God, we respect Him through reverent obedience (Philippians 2:12; Ecclesiastes 12:13). Toward authorities, we respect leaders by honoring them for the position and responsibilities they hold (Romans 13:1).

Peter does not give an exhaustive list. Other passages speak of the respect husbands and wives should have toward one another (Ephesians 5:21-33) or the kind of respect children and parents should have for each other (Ephesians 6:1-4). Other passages address the respect owed to elders in the church (1 Timothy 5:17). Throughout Scripture, even when the word "respect" is not specifically used, the principle is found relating to every person, relationship, and even demons (cf. Jude 8-10).

Respect is a universal principle. Biblical respect is not "earned," but commanded by God. Therefore, we ought not to withhold respect from anyone because we do not think they "deserve it" or because they have not, in our minds, "earned it". We ought to always respect everyone: presidents we don't like, leaders that rub us the wrong way, and parents that misunderstand us. We do it because we honor God's command.

So we ought to always refrain from "name-calling", cursing, or other types of character assassinations, because these do not reflect the kind of respect we are commanded to show one another. We can dislike in our hearts, disagree in our minds, refute with our tongues, but we ought always to show respect. In showing this kind of respect to others, especially when it seems to some as undeserved, we demonstrate our self-respect as servants of the Most High God.

Finally, respecting ourselves and others means that we pursue all things for the ultimate good of all. The principle of respecting ourselves and others simply restates the "Golden Rule":

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

Let us not wait to receive respect to give respect. With our self-respect from God intact, let us initiate and demonstrate respect for all. When we do this, we demonstrate maturity in all the principles. One of my favorite Martial Arts movies is "Best of the Best".

My favorite scene is the final fight between Tommy Lee and Dae Han Park at the World Championship. Dae Han had killed Tommy's younger brother in a previous tournament many years back. At the present tournament, Dae Han taunts Tommy and takes illegal shots to gain the advantage.

Near the end of the fight, Dae Han has a slight advantage, but Tommy has the upper hand for a knockout win. Yet doing so could kill Dae Han. Tommy wrestles within his soul for what to do. Dae Han can barely hold himself up. In the end, Tommy refuses to knock him out, loses the fight, and loses the tournament for the U.S. Team. However, after the awards are given to the victors, Dae Han stumbles over to Tommy, removes his medal, and places it over Tommy’s head. In his broken English he asks Tommy for forgiveness for killing his brother and offers himself as a substitute. Wow!

Tommy Lee respected Dae Han. Dae Han respected Tommy Lee. Enemies became friends, even brothers. This is how powerful this principle can be.