Press the arrow to listen to Kari Jobe sing “Revelation Song” while you read today’s devotion on how to get respect.
Scripture
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:15
Observation
At the age of 26 I met my first city council member. Just out of acne, I was leading my first church. Barely old enough to drive, I went to city hall to present plans for the construction of our new church building. Behind the desk was a politician as crusty as his weathered face. He took one look at me and said, “When did they let you out of high school?” The trouble with ministry is that when you are young, you are considered too young; and when you are old you are considered over the hill. There is no middle ground.
Titus was a pastor of island people known for their indifference toward authority. Paul warned him about it. How could the young preacher gain the attention of a people who brushed him aside?
Paul’s message was simple: Respect is earned but it must also be expected. Titus was to let no one disregard him. He was to allow no one to look down on him or stand over him in judgement.
But how exactly was this fresh-faced pastor supposed to manage that? The answer was to be in the words that Titus would speak.
Titus had to be conscious of his authority. He was speaking not because he wanted to talk but because God had something to say. He was sent by Jesus himself, with hands laid on him by the elders. His authority did not come from wizened age or decades of political connections in the community. Titus was a new face in town who came fresh from the throne room of God. With little rapport or reputation he had more authority than all because God had called him to speak.
Titus had to speak the right kinds of words. First came the words to “exhort”. In the Greek, the words literally mean, “those that come along side.” Titus would have to speak words that would keep walking with people, encouraging them long after he had spoken them, encouraging them forward. Some of Titus’ respect would come because his words would walk with people long after he spoke them. Second, came “reproving” words. These were not the words that would walk with people, but words that would get in their way. Words of challenge would charge like a defensive tackle and level them. Some of Titus’ respect would come because he would speak words outside of himself that would get in the ways of wrong doing.
If Titus would speak out of his authority he would have respect. I remember an old counselor, who exuded respect every person she counseled, no matter how bungled their life, told me, “I always expect respect. I never let anyone disregard me.” Hers was never an arrogant demand, but an authority rooted in God’s call and expressed in deep love. I must do the same.
Application
If I will use my words well I too will have the respect I need to do what God has asked. I need to speak words that keep walking with people through the problems of life. I need to speak words that become speed bumps in their journey. If I respect the authority that has sent me others will respect the words I speak.
Prayer
Father, give to me the opportunity to speak, and when I do so let it be something worth listening to.
