How divided we are and for what reasons, we don’t “like” everyone? Well, we have to get over it. We have to get back to the place where we find that there is disagreement, yet those disagreements do not mean that one side is deserving of evil treatment. Even in disagreement, there is good in most, if not all people. This is where there is the opportunity to come together for the common and agree that the people should be viewed as just that, people and are deserving of love.
“13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)
In the above verses, Peter is speaking to the people about their relationship with authority. I see this as another extension into our relationship with others. I see that we are in the act of vilification of others, just because they do not think or do things like we do. And this is from all sides of everything. We find ourselves interacting with others that are on the other side of whatever and immediately take the position of opposition and the belief that they are wrong and should be taken down for being so.
Well, this opposition thinking is such a short-sighted approach. I have to remember that those who I interact with are indeed my brothers and sisters. Maybe not in Christ, but in this world that we live in and that brings them to deserving of love and, as Peter mentions above, honor.
Verse 17 is where I was led this morning as I was studying God’s Word. What I found is that honor is to be provided to everyone, regardless of their station in this world. They may be the “emperor” or just someone in the “brotherhood”, everyone is deserving, even those with which we may not agree.
Recently I was presented a situation where I was not being given the information needed in order to understand the situation. We, Lori and I, had been dealing with something over the course of about 11 hours and along the way, felt like we were being set up for resolution, only to be continually in the dark on the plan. I became very stern and matter-of-fact with someone who did not understand my position and procured someone else to speak with me/us. On the surface, it may have seemed that I was being mean and lacking understanding or compassion with the other person. However, what was missing was the understanding from their side. The other person started making excuses as to why the information may not have been shared as opposed to apologizing and just working to get the information. To the outside observer, it may have been thought I did not respect the person, when in fact, I did and that is the reason I was asking for information from them and not someone else. I did not let their position lord over me although I am sure that the reason for stepping away was that the person could not truly understand my frustration.
Even in the situation above, the honor was not missing for the other individual. The person was deserving of honor, it was the lack of information that was being questioned, not the person. Regardless of someone’s position, the person is deserving of honor even when the situation may be a bit contentious.
I have to remember that not all situations will be to my liking and that there will be opposition I have to work through. In those situations as with all, the person is due honor and not to be the opposition. I have the duty to love all people and provide for them that which they deserve.
What do your interactions look like? Are you finding yourself in contention with others and possibly looking at the person as the opposition? What if you were to provide for the person the honor they deserve, understanding the position they hold and working to resolve the situation?
Trevor's Thoughts 