“Biblical humility offers respect to everyone.”

A thought by Larry Osborne (2015-04-01) from his book, Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope, Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture (Kindle Location 1552). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I’m not really sure where we get our definitions of some words.  Larry shared that there was one particular person who “saw respect as a one-way street. She demanded it from others, but she gave it sparingly. They had to earn it. Her approach to life and others was the antithesis of biblical humility.”

He then goes on to say that biblical humility “goes much deeper than the hollow ‘yes, sir’ or ‘no, sir’ of a Southern gentleman. It’s the real deal, a heartfelt deference that comes from the recognition that everyone bears the image of God, no matter how marred that image might be.”

Larry in dealing here with Daniel and his time in the evil city of Babylon says, “This is the kind of respect that Daniel and his three friends showed toward everyone they came across. They never copped an attitude. From their jailers to a series of wicked kings, they treated them all with a profound and humble respect. It didn’t matter if they were seeking to be exempted from a nonkosher menu or firmly refusing to bow down to worship an idol.”  He then says, “I find that their respectful attitude, words, and behavior were radically different from the anger and resentment that is so common among many of us today, especially when it comes to how we respond to those who are strongly opposed to our values and faith.”

He says, “Daniel’s humble respect was tied to his firm belief that God is in control of who is in control. It wasn’t merely a theological axiom. It was a reality he lived by. He saw Nebuchadnezzar as God’s servant, a wicked king allowed to reign for a period of time in order to fulfill God’s sovereign purpose— in this case, the discipline and judgment of Jerusalem for the sins of its people. Daniel wasn’t respectful because Nebuchadnezzar deserved it. He was respectful because God commanded it. Unfortunately, Daniel’s outlook and actions are incredibly rare today.”

We are God’s ambassadors.  He wants to use us.  But as Larry says, “If we’re unwilling to treat godless leaders with respect, we’ll have no chance of influencing their decisions and actions. No one listens to people who look down on them with contempt or disdain.”  Please see that “Biblical humility offers respect to everyone.”  Let’s be the Daniel or the Joseph of our day.

So will you give it or do they have to earn it?