Every Person Is Worthy of Respect

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Building My Life on Values That Last

Every Person Is Worthy of Respect By Rick Warren — Dec 3, 2015 “Show proper respect to everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17a NIV) Respect has become an endangered value over the past few decades. We live in the “Age of Irreverence,” where sarcasm rules the day and everyone loves a good put down. Yet the Bible makes it clear that stable families — and stable societies — are built around respect. The Bible commands us to honor our parents, respect civil authority, and respect church leaders. Wives are called to respect husbands in Ephesians. In the book of 1 Peter, husbands are called to respect wives. Just to make it clear that the Bible leaves no one out, the Bible also tells us to “show proper respect to everyone”(1 Peter 2:17a NIV). Everyone, regardless of beliefs or behaviors, is worthy of respect. Why? God made everyone. Psalm 8:5 says, “You [God] made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honor” (GNT). God doesn’t make junk. No one is worthless. People make wrong decisions all the time, but they are still valuable to God. Even the most unlovable person in the world is loved by God. Jesus died for everyone. The Bible says, “God paid a ransom to save you .... He paid for you with the precious life blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19a TLB). You may not place much value in certain people, but God does. In fact, he says every person you meet is worth dying for. It shows you know God. The Bible tells us that God is love. If you know God, you’ll fill your life with love. The Bible says, “If a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God — for God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love always treats people with respect. You’ll get back whatever you give out. It’s the law of the harvest. Whatever goes around comes around. If you want to be respected, you must treat other people with respect. The Bible says, “A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows” (Galatians 6:7b Phillips). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Every person you meet today is worthy of your respect. How will that change your behavior? Who do you have the most trouble showing respect to? Why? What are some ways you can “fill your life with love”? Today’s Scripture “The path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day...” (Proverbs 4:18, AMP) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS An Exceptional Future We all face challenges. We all have obstacles to overcome. But if we can keep the right perspective, it will help us stay in faith so that we can move forward into victory. You may feel, right now, like the challenges you face are too big or too overwhelming. One thing I’ve learned is that average people have average problems. Ordinary people have ordinary challenges. But remember, you’re not average. You’re not ordinary. You are extraordinary. God breathed His life into you. You are exceptional, and exceptional people face exceptional difficulties. But the good news is that we serve an exceptional God! When you have an incredible problem, instead of being discouraged, you should be encouraged knowing that you’re an incredible person, and you have an incredible future. Your path is shining brighter and brighter because of your incredible God! Be encouraged today because your life is on an extraordinary path. Keep standing in faith, keep declaring victory, keep declaring the promises of God over your life because you have an exceptional future! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I lift my eyes to You. I know that You are the One who helps me and has given me an extraordinary future. I choose to stand in faith today knowing that You have a wonderful plan in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen.”