Unstoppable! 'Respect for Leaders' — Acts 23:4-5

Does it seem to you that we have lost respect in modern society for people in the positions that were formerly considered worthy of respect? Positions like president, prime minister, congressional representative, senator, pastor, elder, and missionary are frequently not respected today. We demand that everyone in those positions be worthy of our respect or have earned our respect. If they have not, we do not regard them, or their positions, with respect. The problem with this approach is that all people in such positions are flawed just as we are. We can always find a reason not to respect them. Paul's actions in this story remind us to respect and honor people in positions of respect regardless of their behavior. I don't know about you, but his actions convict me, especially remembering that he knew the high priest was wrong and still apologized. His example drives me to obey the call to respect those in positions of authority. See our Related Scripture Readings below, and remember that passages about respecting people with governmental authority were written when Christians were being persecuted so they certainly apply when we don't agree with the policies of governmental officials.