The Christian Worldview on Given vs. Earned Respect

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.7in;line-height:24.0pt;mso-line-height-rule: exactly">People often claim that respect is earned rather than given. Nonetheless, is such a claim biblical and right? What nuances establish such a claim? The common understanding is that Christ respects all (or is at least tolerant of) all opinions, but does he? Is he? Sensible thought would suggest that people should have a broad respect for a position (e.g., the president or leader of a country, a wise teacher of a course, etc.). Therefore, to a degree, much respect is not earned but simply given in specific positions, especially those of authority.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[1] The simplest Christian worldview on given versus earned respect then is this: respect is largely given rather than earned, for believers should show the same respect Christ shows for all people. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.7in;line-height:24.0pt;mso-line-height-rule: exactly">How then is one to assess what more respect he or she should give? To answer such a question, a distinction should be made between those inside and those outside the Christian faith. Scripture offers several indicators of Christian respect and how God’s people should treat others—both inside and outside the faith. <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.7in; line-height:10.0pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:200%; font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[1] If respect had to be perpetually earned, mutual respect among humans could not exist, for everyone would constantly try to establish and reestablish respect.&nbsp;