Respect Everyone, Except….

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. — 1st Peter 2:17.

“You’re kidding, right? Showing proper respect to everyone is impossible, especially the people I have in mind right now.”

I hear ya.

And I thank friend, colleague, and Presbyterian Scotty Smith for helping you and me at this point. He says —

Only in relationship with Jesus is this possible.

Everyone is an image-bearer of God

—even the people we consider our enemies.

To harbor hatred

is to commit heart-murder

(Matt. 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15).

To “nurse our grudges”

is to suckle from a pool of poison.

Help us, God.

— KaBOOM.

And Amen.