With my family recently going through multiple funerals and memorial services of family members, it was of course saddening for both of us. The events made it difficult for us to remain positive enough to face our own daily events. To make it all worse, it was unfortunately also appalling for us. You see, we saw the devil’s hand at work by influencing some into greed and the want for themselves.

I find myself asking the Lord, “What has gone wrong with people that they no longer respect their own kin, even in death?”

2 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) reads, “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

Wow! What an answer to my own question. When we fight for or have a desire for property and physical possessions, we forget about proper respect for others. And respect for parents is something we should never forget. Remember …

Exodus 20:12 states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Such is commanding us that we are to always have respect for our parents. We will all have our differences between parents and children. But we are to, regardless of differences, keep our relationship focused through love and respect. But I believe the command goes beyond just our parents. I think this is commanding us regarding our respect for all people, especially our elders.

Mark 12: 28–31 states, “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’”

Jesus expounded upon these at the Last Supper shortly after Judas left to betray Him. He gave the disciples this …

John 13: 34 states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

The “Love” we are commanded to have encompasses “respect” for others. In order to love them, we need to also respect them. You see, you cannot be for something and against it at the same time.

Likewise, the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians includes love first among the numerous fruits. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)

The Oxford Dictionary gives the definition of respect as, “due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.”
It is listed as originating from the Latin respectus, from the verb respicere meaning “look back at, regard.”

At the time of loss of loved ones, that is what we are to be doing, to look back. And during our times of life, which is the remaining majority of our time, we are to be practicing the fruits of the Spirit. In other words, respect for others, no matter who they may be.

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