Respect

Do you enjoy being disrespected?

If your answer is "no", you will fit in nicely with the vast majority of normal human beings. 

If your answer is "yes", you will not fit in with the rest of us. 

You are, in fact, a weirdo. 

And for all you weirdos out there, for a limited time, you may sign up for my "DDT" service (Daily Disrespectful Texts), which should scratch your itch for being disrespected on a regular basis*. 

Some examples include:

"LOL @ YOU. NOT WITH YOU...@ YOU."

"UR STUPID."

"U SMELL LIKE DONKEY."

"I DO NOT RESPECT U."

"U MAKE ME :c=== [BARF]"

*Standard text messaging rates apply

Most of us, however, like to be treated with a certain level of respect. We don't enjoy being disrespected and we generally don't tolerate it for very long before we either say something about it or we discontinue contact with the disrespectful party. 

Can you tell when someone is disrespecting you? What are the signs that someone does not respect you? Here are a few that I've noticed:

1. They don't really look at you or listen to you when you're talking to them
2. They don't value your time (they may be late for all of your appointments)
3. They break promises that they've made to you
4. They choose other things/people over you
5. They are dishonest with you
6. They don't stick up for you around other people
7. They only talk to you when they need something from you
8. They don't appreciate what you do for them

These are fairly basic things, aren't they? Generally speaking, we extend these courtesies to most of our "friends", don't we? 

A disrespectful person might say, "Well, I didn't MEAN to ignore you!" or "I really DO appreciate you, even though I don't act like it!", but after a certain point, disrespect is inexcusable, obvious and irreparable.  

There are only so many times that someone can disrespect us before their excuses simply don't cut it anymore. They visibly, openly and deliberately don't respect us and there is no getting around it. 

Wouldn't you agree? 

What amazes me is how many people show these same signs of open disrespect towards God, and still have the nerve to call themselves "Christians". I'm not talking about the people (like myself) who sin on a regular basis because we're not perfect. I'm not talking about the people who admit their mistakes, repent of them, and ask God's forgiveness. I'm not talking about those of us who acknowledge our sinful nature and our dependence on the grace of an Almighty God. 

I'm talking about THESE people:

1. They don't listen in Bible class (if they bother to attend at all), sermons, devotionals, etc. when the Lord is speaking to them from His Word. Instead, they are on their phones, texting their friends, checking facebook, daydreaming, or playing games.
2. They are habitually late for worship (it starts at the same time every week...get up 15 minutes earlier and you can fix this problem!), and/or they leave before it's over. 
3. They claim to have become a disciple of Jesus Christ and to have given their life over to Him, yet their life still seems to be all about them.
4. They choose sports, recitals, friends, family, etc. over worshiping their God & being with His people on a consistent basis. In short, we have time for every other commitment we've made in life except for the one we made to God.
5. They say one thing in the church building (when other Christians are around) and another thing altogether at school, work, etc.
6. They deny God in their speech and behavior when they are around their worldly friends. They abandon God's commands when it's something they really want to have or something that they really want to do. 
7. They only mention prayer when they need something "big" from God or when they're in trouble; the rest of the time, they seem to be doing just fine without Him.
8. They are ungrateful people who have "earned their money" and can't seem to open their mouth to give thanks and to sing praises to the God who has given them everything they have. 

This behavior is disrespectful towards God.

Period.

And if those around us can see it, God certainly sees it. 

And the bottom line is that God won't tolerate it (long term) anymore than we will.

"Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified" - Lev. 10:3 - [something God said immediately after killing 2 priests who disrespected Him]

"but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy" - I Pet. 3:15

"He will come and destroy those tenants" - Lk. 20:9-18 [a parable concerning what will happen to those who disrespect God/Christ Jesus/His servants]

Our specific level of respect towards God is something (on some level, at least) that can only be known by us and God.

However, our level of DISrespect towards God is another matter altogether. 

It is not a secret to those around us who are paying attention. 

It is visible, public, and shameful.

We all need to examine our lives, attitudes and behaviors on this issue of respect towards God.  

After all, hasn't He earned it?

Stinkin' Thinkin'

If you have many religious conversations, you have probably noticed how many times the words "I think" or "I believe" come up.

It's almost as frequent as the phrase "Roll Tide" when you have a conversation with someone in the state of Alabama.

Not quite...but almost.

When it comes to Christianity, we certainly see and hear a lot of this mentality, don't we? Everyone seems to have their own thoughts and beliefs on something that God has made clear we are all supposed to agree on (I Cor. 1:10). 

It almost seems as if some people have organized their personal religious beliefs in the same way that they would fill up a plate at a Chinese Buffet.

"I think I'll have a scoop of faith, a spoonful of trust, a bowl of self-control - no, make that a cup - and a heaping helping of grace. And for dessert, a fortune cookie with a little Bible verse on it...nothing too long, though, or I'll lose interest. By the way, how much is this gonna cost? That much??? Let me put back this trust then. I don't really need that."

To put it as simply as possible, when it comes to following Christ and obeying the Word of God, what I think and what I believe simply doesn't matter. 

Let me clarify...

If my thoughts and my beliefs line up with the Word of God, then they do matter.

If my thoughts and my beliefs do not line up with the Word of God, then they don't matter...and I need to change them. 

"Jeremy, you are saying that people don't matter! You cruel man!"

No, I'm not saying that. 

And I'm not a cruel man. 

That old lady had it coming, no matter what her 3-year-old Grandson says. 

And people absolutely DO matter; but when it comes to the truth of God's Word, their opinions & thoughts don't...can't...and shouldn't. 

Let me illustrate:

Let's say that two people are going to see the same movie. For the sake of the story let's say they're going to see "Lincoln". 

NOTE: I chose "Lincoln" randomly and am not endorsing it in any way. For a more historically accurate version of one of our greatest presidents, see "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter".

NOTE: Before you jump all over me, I have not seen "Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter"...it was sold out and I was forced to see "Madea Goes to Disney World" for the 3rd time.  

I digress...

These two people both believe that they are going to see "Lincoln". They have even planned to go together to the theater. Let's join them in their conversation...

"Hey Dave, are you ready to go see Lincoln tonight?"

"I sure am, Franklin! I've heard that it's really good. I'm excited about seeing the top hat on the big screen."

"Cool. I'll pick you up at 5:00 PM."

"Actually, Franklin, I think it starts at 2:00 AM."

"No, it starts at 5:30. I called ahead and already bought my ticket online. So I thought we would get there a little early & get some fried Oreos."

"I believe you're wrong, Franklin. All my friends told me that it started at 2:00 AM."

"Where did they hear that? They don't even PLAY movies at 2:00 AM."

"Well...I think they do."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because they told me that it started then."

"Where did they hear that?"

"They said that their parents told them."

"Have any of your friends actually called the theater to check on this?"

"Gee, that seems like a lot of work, Franklin. And I'm not sure I like your accusatory tone either. Are you trying to tell me that I'm wrong for thinking this? Are you telling me that the movie DOESN'T start at 2:00 AM???"

"Um, no. I'm trying to help you realize that you think/believe something that simply isn't true. I can prove it to you if you'll just let me pick you up at 5:00 PM. I'll even show you my ticket and we can call the theater together."

"Now you're just being pushy. In fact, I'm not sure I even want to go with you anymore. I think me and my friends will just go together at 2:00 AM...and get our own snacks."

"You're going to miss the movie, Dave."

"You're so judgmental."

Jesus once said to a group of people, "Go and learn what this means..." (Mt. 9:13). Notice that Jesus didn't say...

"Tell me what you think this means..."

"Tell me your beliefs on the following..."

"Let's just agree to disagree on what I'm about to say..."

No, He put the responsibility on them. Jesus told the truth, period. It wasn't up for discussion or debate; it simply needed to be learned, believed and obeyed. 

We are told to do the same when it comes to our faith (2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11; I Jn. 4:1; etc.). 

So, the next time you're in a religious conversation with someone, do your best to replace "I think" and "I believe" with "The Bible says..."

And the next time you're at a Chinese Buffet, don't skimp on the self-control soup. 

It looks thin, but it's delicious...and very filling. 

Worship

For people who call themselves Christians, worship is pretty important, isn't it?

Worship means that it's time to put on our nice(ish) clothes, pile into the family vehicle, and head to the church building.

Worship means that we pray, sing, give, remember the Lord's death, and study a portion of His Word (as we should). 

Worship is one of those things that most Christians are GOING to do, no matter what, right?

No matter how bad the fight was with our spouse on the WAY to worship, we are going to worship.

No matter how tense our relationship is with the person sitting three rows behind us (and it can get pretty tense, can't it?), we are going to worship.

No matter how many times we may have (or haven't) studied our Bible and prayed during that same week, we are going to worship.

No matter how many opportunities we have missed to serve or tell others about our God, we are going to worship Him. 

Worship is pretty important to us, isn't it?

In fact, for some it seems ALL-important. 

Sometimes it is the one (and possibly only) characteristic that defines our faith. This is why, instead of asking people to tell us about their faith in God, we say, "Where do you go to church?" 

We adopt a set of beliefs, show up to worship (in a certain way) a few times a week, and - for some - that might just be it. 



Is worship this important to God? 

Is this what God wants? 



Has God elevated worship to the point that our participation in it will "erase" everything else that may be going on (or NOT going on) in our lives? Or have we done that?

The Bible has answered this question for us. Consider the following Scriptures:

1. Amos 5:21-23 - "I hate, I despise your feasts [worship], and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies [worship]. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings [worship] and grain offerings [worship], I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals [worship], I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs [worship]; to the melody of your harps [worship] I will not listen."

2. Matthew 5:23 - "So if you are offering your gift at the altar [worship] and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift [worship]."

3. Matthew 15:8-9 - "This people honors me with their lips [worship], but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

Allow me to make a few observations about worship, based on these passages:

- Worship is simply not as important to God as our hearts and our lives. It never has been. 

- Worship can become detestable - and vain - in the sight of God if our hearts and lives aren't right before Him.

- If we have conflict in our lives with other people, or if we aren't living lives that glorify and honor God, those things need to be a higher priority than our worship.

You might say, "Jeremy, am I supposed to just get up from worship and go have that conversation with that person three rows behind me??" 

Um, no.

You were supposed to have done that before you sat down. 

And the worst news is, if we haven't done that, our worship may not be accepted by God. In fact, He may hate it. 

Think about this: if we were as dedicated to keeping our relationships and day-to-day lives in line with Scripture as we are at keeping our worship in line with Scripture...

What a concept, right? It just so happens that it isn't my concept; it's God's. 

A truly "scriptural" church isn't just scriptural because it worships God correctly (although that's part of it). It is scriptural if it follows the rest of Scripture when it comes to the rest of our lives. 

After all, the Church is the people...not just the few hours a week when we meet to worship...right?

It doesn't do us any good, as God's people, to worship "scripturally" and live "unscripturally". 

So, before you put on those nice clothes, pile into the family vehicle, and go back to that church building...take a moment to think about these things. 

Is there something we need to do differently before we worship God again?

Is there someone we need to talk to?

Is there something we need to pray about? 

God wants us to do these things before we worship Him.