Respect: Honoring God, His Order, and His Word

Good morning, church! Today, we’re going to talk about a topic that everyone wants but not everyone gives: respect. We live in a world where people demand respect without earning it, where everyone has their own truth, and where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred. But let’s get one thing straight—God doesn’t operate on shifting opinions. He is the ultimate authority, the ultimate man, and He commands respect simply by being who He is.

Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Respect starts with God. If we don’t respect Him, we won’t respect anything else that truly matters.

God is the Ultimate Authority

God isn’t just some distant force or a cosmic suggestion. He is the Creator, the King of Kings, and the Alpha and Omega. He’s not looking for approval, and He doesn’t need a popularity contest to prove His worth. Whether the world acknowledges Him or not, He remains God.

Psalm 47:7 says, "For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding."

Respect for God isn’t optional; it’s a necessity. When we understand who He is, we can’t help but honor Him. The problem today is that people have lost their fear of the Lord. They treat Him like a buddy, a genie, or worse, an afterthought. But let’s be clear: God is not to be played with. His Word is final, His authority is absolute, and His judgment is real.

The Divine Order: God – Man – Woman

Now, let’s talk about something that society likes to reject: divine order. God has established a structure for how things should be. It’s not about superiority; it’s about design.

1 Corinthians 11:3 says, "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."

Here’s the breakdown:

1. God is the head of all. Everything starts and ends with Him. No one gives Him orders; He is the authority.

   
   

2. Man is under God. A man’s role is to lead, protect, and provide, not to dominate or abuse. He is accountable to God first.

   
   

3. Woman is under man. Not as a servant, not as a lesser being, but as a partner, a helper, and an essential part of God’s plan. She was made from man (Genesis 2:22) and given a role that complements, not competes.

   
   

This isn’t about power struggles; it’s about purpose. When we follow God’s order, things work. When we reject it, we see chaos—broken homes, confused roles, and a society that no longer knows what truth is.

Respecting Other Religions?

Now, here’s a question: Should we, as Christians, respect other religions? The short answer—no, but let’s clarify.

We respect people. Every human being is made in the image of God, and our job is to lead them to the truth, not attack them. But respect for people doesn’t mean we approve of false beliefs. Jesus said in John 14:6,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

That means there aren’t multiple paths to God—just one.

If a religion isn’t from God, where is it from? The answer is simple—the enemy. 1 Corinthians 10:20 warns us,

"No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons."

Anything that leads people away from Christ is deception. So, should we respect falsehood? No. Should we tolerate lies? No. But should we love people enough to show them the truth? Absolutely.

Being Christ-Like: The True Mark of Respect

Christianity isn’t a religion; it’s a relationship. Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. Christianity is God reaching down to man through Jesus Christ. Our job is to be Christ-like, which means respecting what He respects:

1. Respect the Word of God. It’s not up for debate, personal interpretation, or revision to fit modern culture. "All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

   
   

2. Obey His commandments. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Love and obedience go hand in hand.

   
   

3. Don’t twist scripture for personal gain. Even with the best intentions, you can do the right thing the wrong way. Satan quoted scripture to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6), but he twisted it. That’s what false teachers do today—mix truth with deception. If you change God’s Word to fit your lifestyle instead of changing your lifestyle to fit God’s Word, you are in rebellion.

   
   

Twisting scripture for personal gain is a dangerous sin. Revelation 22:18-19 warns us,

"If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life."

Changing God’s Word to justify sin, false teaching, or personal ambition leads to destruction.

This applies to those who seek power outside of God's ordained structure. A woman who desires to be a pastor is in direct rebellion against God's command. 1 Timothy 2:12 states,

"I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet."

God does not bless what He forbids, and no amount of modern cultural shifts will change His truth. Many so-called "Christians"—pastors, evangelicals, and teachers—are preaching the Word of God without obeying it, and they will be judged. Matthew 7:22-23 warns,

"Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?’ And then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

Conclusion: Respect Starts with God

If you don’t respect God, you can’t truly respect anything else. He is the foundation of truth, order, and righteousness. As Christians, we don’t respect lies, we don’t honor false religions, and we don’t make up our own rules. We follow Christ, and in doing so, we respect what He respects.

So, let’s ask ourselves today: Are we truly respecting God? Are we honoring His Word, obeying His order, and standing firm in truth? The world may call us intolerant, but I’d rather be called intolerant by the world than disobedient by God.

Let’s pray,

Lord, help us to walk in reverence and honor for You. Teach us to respect what You respect, to stand firm in truth, and to love people enough to lead them to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.