R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Unless you’ve lived under a rock, or “off the grid” for the past 50 years, when you see the title of this article, you’ll likely think of the hugely popular soul song by Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul”. Her version of the song was released in 1967 and became her signature song. Some may not know, but it was written and originally released by Otis Redding and was a crossover hit for him in 1965. The original version was a ballad and was rearranged by Aretha as an R & B tune, which also became a feminist anthem of the ‘70’s. Of course, due to its popularity, the song has been ‘covered’ by many different artists.
I won’t provide the entire lyrics here, but a few lines of the chorus as sung by Aretha Franklin should be more than enough to cause one to remember it. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Take care, TCB. (This abbreviation means “taking care of business"). This is the aspect of the song I wish to address. I want to draw attention to the “respect” one is to have for God and His Word as we live our lives on this mundane sphere. Can we not recognize all God has created and provided and have respect to Him? It is painfully evident that ‘respect for God and His Word’ is sadly absent from the lives of many today.
It is amazing what you’ll find about a word, topic or subject when it is looked up online. One online dictionary gives the following about respect. 1) a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. 2) giving due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of. 3) agree to recognize and abide by (a legal requirement). The third definition here applies to the Bible and what God has “COMMANDED” in His Word. If we have respect for God, we will do what He has commanded. We will do it out of love and deep adoration for what God has provided to all humanity in the physical, as well as the spiritual realm. As we live our lives, is it not “taking care of business” to respect God in every facet of life?
The question becomes: “How do I do this?”. As was pointed out, one of the definitions of respect is to agree to recognize and abide by (legal requirement). While researching “respect”, I find the ‘core’ of respect is about listening. We know people feel respected when they’ve been heard and understood. Is this any different with God? I don’t think so. The Spirit had Solomon pen the Words we find in Eccl. 12:13 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. This cannot be done unless or until one has respect to God and His Law. God’s final Law of Salvation has been issued. It is in the New Testament and is laid out for the benefit of all mankind. Yet so few truly follow. In Isa 17:7, speaking of this wonderful time, the Spirit had him prophesy: “At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.”
Surely, we now understand why so many do not respect God. They are not listening to Him. He ‘speaks’ to us through His Word. In the past, God spoke by giving His Word to prophets as Heb. 1:1 shows. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,. But now, in these “last days”, speaks “by His Son” who has all authority. We can read this in Heb. 1:2 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;. Then we see in Heb. 2:3 that this Word was “confirmed” by those apostles whom the Lord Himself chose. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Therefore, refusal to ‘abide by’ what God has ‘spoken’ in His Word and passed down to us through inspiration is to fail to hear, or respect God. Many would rather listen to and follow man’s “opinion” as to how to serve God. Those who do so, fail to realize that they are ‘respecting’ man’s wishes and are refusing to show God the respect He deserves. Under both the Old and New Testaments, God, through His Holy Word, has commanded us to follow Him and not man. In the days of Christ (under the O.T. Law of God), Jesus in Mark 7:7 said: Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Were they showing ‘respect’ unto God or Christ in so doing? I think not! Is it any different today? Obviously not. In fact, the Spirit, in 2Pet. 3:1-2, had Peter write: This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Respect for God is “agreeing to recognize and to abide by” God’s Word. This cannot be done while “holding to” the “old life” and old ways. We can see in Eph. 4:21-23 how this can be accomplished. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Fill your mind with God’s Word and His Commandments. “Crucify the old man” and his deeds and do as God directs in His Word. Take care of the “business of life” and prepare for life hereafter. Respect God and His Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
