Respect

How can we show proper respect for our teammates, coaches, opponents, and even the officials? Why should we even care about that? Peter understood the value of showing proper honor and respect to people and he wrote about it in this Scripture. Take a moment to read it again, this time out loud.

When reading the word, “honor,” substitute the phrase, “show proper respect to.” There are certainly many ways to show proper respect to one’s teammates during the course of the game. Peter challenges us to take full advantage of them.When we read this verse, we think of showing proper respect to those with authority related to our team. We  honor the coaching staff, the game officials, and our parents. Beneath the other statements is the one that fuels all the others. To “fear God” is to have a reverential awe and respect for Him. When we show proper respect for the Creator of the universe, it’s a little easier to honor those with lesser provinces of authority in our worlds.

In competition, we are to honor all people, including spectators and the other team’s last reserve players. We are to “love the brotherhood”—our teammates—with all our hearts. We are to “fear God”  and show Him the proper respect. We are to “honor the Emperor”—keep ourselves in order and show respect to those who must give an account for our attitudes and actions.