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Respect or Respect of Persons?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible frequently cautions us against respect of persons, yet we are also instructed to show proper respect for leaders, the elderly and others. Unlike the current parental teaching, people in previous generations were taught to practice different attitudes of respect for people and property than the public generally holds today. Deference was given freely to many. Men and boys were expected to give up their seats on crowded buses and street cars to women, the elderly or disabled. People commonly addressed strangers both rich or poor as Sir, Ma'am, Mister or Miss. It took a great deal of familiarity with someone before one would break into a more informal manner with them. The same general attitude was held toward property as well. All of us have stories of how we never locked our doors when we were growing up. Or our parents would allow us to roam the whole city when we were kids. Today, we would not dare to do these things because there is so much less respect for life and property. In our major cities, one can be randomly killed in a drive-by shooting while minding one's own business. In these days, one rarely hears children addressing parents and adults as sir or ma'am. Even a thank you is hard to come by. They do not respond to questions from their elders with a Yes, sir, No, sir, Yes, ma'am or No, ma'am. And in the general public even the president is called George or Bill or worse! In Leviticus 19:32 it says, You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD. This theme runs throughout the Bible, appearing in such words that are rendered into the English most commonly as fear, honor, respect, and sometimes even as strong as reverence. Romans 13:7 makes this clear. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. So we find it actually commanded to give deference, not based on whether we think they deserve it, but simply because they are somebody who fits a certain description (like the elderly) or who is an elected, appointed or ordained person. So strong is this theme, that God shows that insolence toward those who should be respected presages calamity (cf. II Kings 2:23-25 and Isaiah 3:5). We should thus be warned that when we see disrespect rising, severe social troubles are on the horizon. The purpose of these scriptures is to help insure that there is a proper attitude toward God. God is the Giver of all authority (Romans 13:1) and it is really out of respect for the God-given office that the deference is shown. But is formality in reference to office always required? No. A husband's office as head of the family is God-given, but neither wife, nor children call him Mister. The formality is dropped within the confines and familiarity of family. I know of no western culture that does not follow this pattern. In the church we have long been in the custom of addressing each other as Mr. and Mrs. These forms of address are not as formal as they used to be, but insistence on them may have been overdone. Formality tends to make relationships stilted and narrow and can even move one to a far more serious elitism, which is nothing more than respect of persons. The church is called a brotherhood in I Peter 2:17, a family in Ephesians 3:15. Jesus said, You are all brethren (Matthew 23:8). Beyond that, there is strong evidence that our English word mister is derived from master, which Jesus said not to use in addressing each other as a title elevating one above another (cf. Matthew 23:7-11). Why do we call one another by these formal titles? Most likely, it is because of a sincere effort not to disrespect, especially an elder's or deacon's office. But is it also possible that something more important is lost? Would a family be better off if the father was called Mister? What qualities would be lost? Warmth of affection, intimacy and approachability are three that immediately come to mind
Authority and Government
Sermon by John O. ReidToo many feel that they are above the law, but paradoxically, laws proliferate when corruption prevails. We must be subject to all law, God's and man's.
Authority: Why So Many Resent It
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.
The Honor Due to Parents
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughPeople in positions of responsibility and power—especially those placed by God, like human parents—should receive the honor due them.
Submission (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by John ReissThose trained in the home to dishonor parents will resist authority on every front, whether civic authorities, supervisors on the job, or teachers in school.
The Promise in the Fifth Commandment (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasWhen the fifth commandment is neglected, respect for leadership and authority erodes, lowering quality of life, and ultimately, length of life too.
A Matter of Honor
'Ready Answer' by StaffThe Bible has a great deal to say about honor and whom we should honor. Here are some difficult but necessary lesson in honor.
Honor the King
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughWe find it difficult to maintain a spirit of calmness and refrain from taking sides, let alone to show honor to those God has placed over us.
To Whom Honor Is Due
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDishonoring one's parents is a serious abomination, considered a capital offense by God. Fathers must be worthy of honor, teaching their children to honor God.
Crucial Parenting Principles
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRecently, the University of Virginia's Institute on Advanced Culture identified four current parenting styles, with mixed results.
The Fifth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment stands at the head of the second tablet of the Decalogue, which governs our human relationships. It is critical for family and society.
Strengthening the Family
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod ordained marriage and the family for the physical and spiritual growth and nurturing of children. God's goal is a Family composed of mature spirit beings.
The Commandments (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment provides a bridge, connecting our relationships with God and the relationships with our fellow human beings.
Submission (Part One)
CGG Weekly by John ReissRegardless of which political party is in power, God counsels His children in Romans 13:1-7 on how to have peace in an anything-but-peaceful world.
Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 3)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsParents are obligated to teach God's laws to their children. According to Emily Post, good manners are to the family what good morals are to society.
The Fifth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment teaches our responsibility to give high regard, respect, and esteem to parents and other authority figures, leading to a prosperous life.
Parenting (Part 4): Discipline
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRealizing that parental authority must be used with godly love, the prompt discipline we mete out should be fair and appropriate.
What Has Happened to Deference?
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughDeference is a foundational virtue. It reveals one's humility—that he is thoughtfully aware of others and seeking to serve them even in insignificant ways.
Recovering Civility
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must ask ourselves if we have allowed fleshly works to creep into our lives. A little civility could go a long way in restoring unity among God's people.
The Commandments (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHonor of parents is the basis for good government. The family provides the venue for someone to learn to make sacrifices and be part of a community.
Let's Not Make a Federal Case Out of It
Commentary by Mike FordEven though they were originally very limited, over time, Federal rules have intertwined with local laws, snuffing out the jurisdiction of local governments.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Fifteen): Deference
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSolomon makes the subject of deference a major part of Ecclesiastes 8. Christians must always strive to see God behind those in power over us.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not privy to God's, but we must realize that He has the prerogative to impose both blessings and calamity, the latter in response to disobedience.
God's Will in the End Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.
What's Happening to Deference?
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Deference has largely disappeared as the emerging generation has been taught by the mores of progressivism to diss their elders, showing contempt for them.
Childrearing (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot turn the teaching of our children over to others, but instead must train and educate them to become productive citizens in the Kingdom of God.
Government (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly those who are governable will be allowed to govern with God. No government will work without each individual submitting in his area of responsibility.
Self-Government (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If we govern ourselves, God will take care of us. Government of any kind will not work unless people govern their own nature. Self-control enables us to show love.