Worthy Of All Honor
Let all who are under the yoke of
slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God
and the teaching may not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters must
not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church;
rather they must serve them all the more, since those who benefit by their
service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these duties. Whoever
teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus
Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited,
understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for
disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base
suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of
the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
As we age we seem to be more aware
that the behavior of young people is deteriorating. Many children show little
respect for older people.
First Timothy shows us that disrespect
is not unique to our generation.
We may say that people need to show
themselves worthy of respect before we can respect them. But respecting another
person is much more about who we are than about who the other person is.
Sadly, the worst cases of disrespect
are sometimes found among those who claim to follow Jesus. But when believers
excel in all they do, God’s name is lifted up. All of us are to bring honor and
glory to the Lord’s name.
Excelling in
respect for others honors God.
One who would
be truly respected must first respect others.
Our Daily
Bread – December 19, 2005