The Lost Art of Respect & Honor

I get to work with some amazing people. I'm now in Yokohama, Japan meeting with a dozen church-planters and missionaries who are serving all over Asia. Wish I could tell you all God is doing in nations that are rumored to be closed and restricted - but posting too much info could land some of my friends in jail.

Japan is an interesting place. I feel a bit like Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation." All the bowing and respect for authority got me thinking about the lost art (at least in the West) of respect and honor. 

Respect is earned.
Honor is owed.

Respect is based on how a person performs.
Honor is based on a person’s position.

The Bible tells us to honor our father and mother – not because we think they deserve respect or honor - but because of their position.

Whether or not I respect a person says something about THEIR life, values and character.
Whether or not I honor a person says something about MY life, values and character.

We honor parents, pastors, police and presidents because of their positions.
Whether or not we respect parents, pastors, police and presidents is based on their attitudes and actions - but whether or not we respect them, we must honor them.

*** Above thoughts inspired by my Japanese hosts and by a Steven Furtick podcast interview about honoring spiritual fathers, even if they have not totally earned our respect.

Comments

[Fikri]

Great word pastor Steve, we certainly need to reactivet this lost art of honor and respect. Within the middle eastern culture this is a BIG ISSUE, I was amazed to see even among middle easterners how honor and respect is dying in the younger generation. Your words blessed me today

[Ken]

Where can I find this podcast?

[hanson]

what's the difference between respect and honor? it seems that the dicitionary defines it synonymously.