Command Performance

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Show proper respect to everyone. 1 Peter 2:17, NIV

LISTED BELOW ARE a bunch of commands from the Bible. Unfortunately, some commands that aren’t in the Bible have gotten mixed in with them. See if you can recognize and cross out those commands that aren’t found in the Bible.

1. “Honor your father and mother.”

2. “Never give a sucker an even break.”

3. “Show respect for the elderly.”

4. “Give to dogs what is sacred; throw your pearls to pigs.”

5. “Put your right foot in, put your right foot out, put your right foot in, and shake it all about.”

6. “Honor [the king], for he is your lord.”

7. “Don’t cry over spilled milk.”

8. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of double honor.”

9. “Honor one another above yourselves.”

10. “Show proper respect to everyone.”

11. “Stay tuned for these messages.”

12. “Obey the government.”

So, how many did you cross out? You should have crossed out five of the twelve commands on the list. If you crossed out more (or less), look back over the list.

If you crossed out numbers 2, 4, 5, 7, and 11, you are exactly right! None of those commands are found in the Bible (though number 4 is the opposite of a command found in Matthew 7:6). The other seven statements are biblical commands. They are, in order, Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:32 (NIV), Psalm 45:11, 1 Timothy 5:17, Romans 12:10 (NIV), 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV), and Romans 13:1.

Not only that, but each of those Bible verses is a command to show respect, in one form or another, for someone else. Those verses should make it clear to anyone that God commands us to respect other people. He wants us to respect our parents. He tells us to show respect for the elderly. He wants us to respect church and government officials. He even commands us to respect everyone. Can he make it any clearer than that?

REFLECT: God commands us to respect others. How many different kinds of people does he command respect for? Look back at the various kinds of respect God commands. Do you show proper respect in all those areas? Do you need to try harder in some areas?

ACT: Make a list of five practical ways you can show respect for others (such as “pushing Mrs. Klein’s wheelchair,” “not making fun of Mr. Porter,” etc.), and try to do everything on the list before the end of the next week.

PRAY: “There are a lot of people you want me to respect, God. Please give me the help I need to do it.”