Respect

Ron Writes

“Fascist!” “Hitler!” “Crooked!” “Heartless!” “Crazy!” Disrespect and name-calling have become a regular part of today’s politics. As one of our members wrote, “Politics can be, and is, a dirty business.” Negative campaigning, fearmongering, and dishonesty have become commonplace. From the highest positions down it’s hard to find someone who isn’t trying to tear the other person down rather than merely stand on their own merits. In this highly emotional atmosphere, too many Christians have joined in.

While Paul was on trial, the high priest commanded someone to hit him in the mouth. Paul’s response, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” Listen to Paul’s response, “I was not aware, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people” (Acts 23:2-5).

The OT text Paul quoted began with the serious warning “You shall not curse God” (Ex. 22:28). You can’t take it lightly. That is why when Paul recognized his error, he immediately apologized. If he was the high priest, you would have expected him to act like it and not violate the OT Law. Despite our protests, Paul reminds us that we must respect and honor people regardless of their behavior. It’s convicting that Paul apologized even though he knew the high priest was wrong. Why? Because his emotional response violated the Word of God.

Later Paul would write that we are to respect and honor governing authorities (Rom. 13). When he wrote this Nero was Emperor.  The person might not be respectable, but we are to respect their position and honor them.