³² Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 NKJV

Over the last month, some of you have followed me in my preaching of “The Peacemakers”. Love and unity is a thought that is always on my mind because I often think of what could be. I suppose the thought or dream of love and unity is the hope of one that is of sincere faith. Then quickly, the world reminds me that we, mankind, are so far away from the dream of harmony.

Why are we so far away from the dream of harmony? My answer: because we don’t truly honor nor do we truly respect one another. For us to live in harmony with each other we have to be able to honor and respect each other. What is respect when one demands to be respected while not respecting the desires and wishes of another? What is respect if you get your way while others are made to suffer?

As the saying goes, respect is a two-way street. Sadly, many of us drive in a manner where we disregard everyone around us. That, or we are driving on two completely different streets. Yet, through Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, we know that honor and respect can go a long way. Rather than being selfish, as Paul said, we need to start valuing each other. Honor and respect can truly take us all a very long way compared to the destructive way of selfishness.