HONOR, LOVE, REVERENCE, RESPECT. 1st Peter 2:17 . I have four responsibilities. First, I am to honor all people when the appropriate occasion arises, simply because they are human beings made in the image of God. With this in mind, I am to show them the respect and courtesy due to them as those who are valued and loved by God. Honor involves being concerned for the welfare of all people. We owe respect and courtesy to others because we have all been created in the image of God. We may not honor the worship they use, the behavior they exhibit, or the idolatrous beliefs they hold, but every person is of more value than the whole material world.
Even more: when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He died not only for the sins of those who believe in Him but also for the sins of the whole world. God loves every man, woman, and child and “wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Secondly, I am to continually love and demonstrate that love to the Lord's people. Those who are children of God are part of the same family of which I am a part. I may not agree with them on everything, but I am to love them despite that. To “love the brotherhood” is a natural result of the new nature we received when we were born again by the Spirit of God. “We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.” Believers in Christ are our spiritual family. We are to show our love to them without expecting anything in return. The love we have for God’s children should mirror God’s love for us.
Third, to fear God means I truly hold Him in awe and am thus motivated to obey Him in all things. This will keep me from abusing my "Christian liberty" because I want to please Him. I am not to be frightened of Him or afraid to approach Him, but to revere, honor, and submit to His supreme authority. True children of God do not want to displease, deny, or disobey Him, nor do they want to leave any false impression about Him by their speech, conduct, or attitude toward divine things.
Fourth, "honoring the king" means recognizing his authority as one placed in that position by God. I do not have the right to speak evil of him or to obey him only as I choose. It is not uncommon for people to say or do wrong things when they dislike those who rule over them. I am to "pray for kings and those in authority." When I do, there is a lasting effect that no other person's vote can undo, even if that vote is the opposite of mine, if I choose to vote. Our ultimate loyalty is to God, but we owe respect to government authorities unless they are contrary to God's laws. Perhaps Peter was concerned about this because of the persecution Christians endured from the Roman authorities, which resulted in the deaths of many Christians.
I’m in the world and will remain until the Lord calls me home. I will interact with people wherever I go and wherever I come. There is a degree of dignity in every man. I can show honor without deceit and bless him in Jesus’ name. Those in God’s family have a special link to me. Often, when first meeting a believer, we find we enjoy their company. Whether I see the saints often or only meet once and then leave, there is a special bond in Christ that all God’s children share.
Whenever I hear God’s name or speak His name myself, there is a certain attitude toward Him that is not hard to discern. He deserves the highest respect and our constant reverence, for God is the Highest of the high, even to giving me breath. It is right to honor our leader, or at least the office he fills. God has put him in office, putting him in or out as He wills. I can do nothing but pray for him and make sure that I fear God. In this world of billions of people, I know it is important that courtesy is a part of the way I live. To fear God seems to come naturally. To love Christians seems to have been built in since we were me. To honor all men and arrogant kings is hard to do. We need to keep silent when we do not agree with the wrong, which we can do nothing about. We need God’s grace to show honor when we can.