Giving Respect

Paul began his letter to the Corinthians by stating: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” Who were the Corinthians? In the rest of the letter Paul had almost nothing good to say to them -- they were bickering with each other (1:11), they were still in their spiritual diapers (3:1-3), they were arrogant (4:18), they permitted gross immorality (5:1), they were greedy (6:1), etc. How could Paul have any gratitude for them?

Paul was able to be grateful for them because he understood that respect is something God calls us to give to everyone. The sixth commandment tells children to respect their parents. Paul told wives to respect their husbands. Paul wrote that the preachers and teachers in a church deserve a “double honor”.

But how can we give honor to those who act dishonorably? This passage gives us the key: Paul was thankful for these carnal believers because he recognized the “grace given [them] in Christ Jesus.” He saw God at work in their lives. If bitterness or contempt grasps us, it tells us that we are sinners. If I disrespect my wife, “it’s because I’m weak, not because my wife is failing. If I were really mature, I would have the same compassion for her weaknesses as Christ does. Respect is a spiritual discipline, an obligation that I owe my wife.” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage).

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the failings of spouses, children, parents, friends. But God calls us to find some measure of His grace at work in them. A few years ago I had a student write in a final paper that she had been planning to leave her husband. But after opening her life to God, she realized that her husband wasn’t the ghoul she had made him out to be. She had simply let his failings fill her mind, neglecting to focus on his good qualities. When she recognized her error, she went to her husband -- who knew what she had been contemplating -- and threw her arms around him and told him that she would never leave.


Application: Think about a relationship you are struggling with. Make a list of all of the evidences of God’s grace in that person’s life. Then honor them by telling them what you appreciate about them. Gary Thomas explains that a husband’s respect for his wife isn’t merely an internal feeling: “We honor our wives by demonstrating our esteem and respect: complimenting them in public; affirming their gifts, abilities, and accomplishments; and declaring our appreciation for all they do. Honor not expressed is not honor.”

Assignment: In next Sunday’s class we will study I Cor.1:10-31. What was causing quarrels in the church? How does God’s wisdom compare with man’s wisdom?

Prayer fellowship: We will meet on Sept.25 at 6:00 P.M. at Bernie and Cathy’s house. It is a potluck. Kids are welcome. We will be done by 8:00.
Call for directions. 371-1889.