| “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” |
| —Philippians 2:3 |
Have you ever watched children line up to receive a treat? Most of the time there is a lot of pushing, shoving, and jockeying for position to be the first to receive the treat. That kind of approach to life sometimes moves past childhood and into adulthood.
Sadly, all too oftrn it seems as if it is no longer fashionable, nor treated as appropriate, to hold a door open for a lady or older person. Our current culture has told us that such acts of courtesy demean women and relegate them to second-class status. To that assertion I say a loud: “Balderdash!” No one has a deeper respect for women than the man who steps aside to open a door and allow a lady to enter a building before him. This is a sign of respect that we should foster in our children and practice in our adulthood.
Likewise, the same applies to the use of the words “sir” and “ma’am.” I cannot tell you the number of times a younger woman has reacted in anger when I call her “ma’am.” Using the words “sir” and “ma’am” does not indicate that I think someone is old and over-the-hill. Rather, it is a term of sincere respect. It tells the person with whom I’m talking that I defer to him or her and offer my genuine respect. This is particularly true when I do not know the person well, or at all. We need to foster the same kind of attitude that the Apostle Paul wrote about in Philippians 2:3-4:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
“Value others above ourselves in all humility”—that’s a message we very much need in our confused, troubled, and upside down world of today. Instead of slinging divisive and nasty words at each other, we should step aside and let those who despise us queue up first to receive the “treat.” In so doing we show respect and emulate the kind of self-sacrificing love that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, poured out on us.
There is so much more we can do than that which we normally do. Showing a loving respect for others is a good beginning to change a culturally dictated pattern of disrespect.
Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, November 23, 2017
