Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

What does it mean to respect someone? To be respected, does that carry with it approval? I am in a conversation with an atheist who says he respects other people’s opinions. To be honest I believe he is using the term to cut me off, to stop the conversation before I can tell him the truth. He thinks he knows where the conversation is going, so he says he respects, but he doesn’t.

If you respect someone you must hear them out. Peter perceives a truth about God, that being God knows all things. God does not have to hear us out to know us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. I have often utter a thing to God only to have to eat my words, because I can and do lie to myself. I cannot lie to God. God is truth and knows all things.

This issue I have with respect today is the value in respect to change things for the better. It is far better to be loving and gracious than respectful. Love and grace are gifts from the heart of God extended to others because of quality of character. It is who we are. Respect is a thing taken from another. It is acceptance. God’s acceptance of us is not based on who we are or what we have done. God accepts us because we believe on His Son Jesus Christ and by faith we are His.

I told this atheist that respect has never changed anyone. The only thing that has ever changed a man is love. Will he listen? Will he understand? God only knows. All I can do is be loving and gracious and let love do what love does. It touches the heart.

Matthew 5:44-45a But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

The coach calls a time out. The opponent has run off eight straight points and our lead has been cut in half in just three minutes. He puts in a fresh set of legs at guard and a small fast forward. “We are going to out run them by changing from zone to man to man.” A change in strategy is required. The same thing happens in football at half time. If what got you to the Super Bowl isn’t working, a new strategy is needed.

Everything is reactionary. Polls are taken, what is popular, what is not. What is working and what is weak. We shift priorities and put our resources where we think they will do the most good and little leaks become a flood. We are always on the defensive. Negative after negative after negative is thrust in our faces.

Christ did not call us to be members of His household to be on the defensive. We are called to obedience of faith to enact God’s will. This is not our plan, not our strategy and we are to carry out His will for us. His promises are true, He is God. The hope that we have lies in His promises not in what we see in the world.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

If you truly want to see an end to all that is wrong in the world, preach the gospel.