Q: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A: The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongs to every one in their several places and relations.
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has
fulfilled the law.
Disrespect runs rampant in our society. Just take one casual stroll through your Facebook wall, listen to talk radio for 10 minutes, or listen to how children speak to their parents at the local park. It seems we're all inclined to show disrespect to whomever we please whenever we please. The fifth commandment kicks against this kind of attitude towards others. We, especially as Christians, do not have the luxury of being disrespectful to others. Not to our parents, not to our bosses, not to our children, not even to politicians with whom we disagree.
"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." Can we live this way? Can we live in a way that shows love and respect to all people, regardless of whether or not they believe what we believe, do what we would do, act as we would act? This is the heart of this commandment. We are to show love and honor to all people, even if we deem the person as being "dishonorable". It's one of the hardest things in the world to do, yet, isn't it how Jesus treated everyone around him? Christ is a wonderful example of keeping this commandment, not only in how he honored his earthly father and mother, but also in how he treated everyone he came into contact with, even with those who opposed him. There is not a shred of disrespect or dishonor found in Christ, who kept the law perfectly. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of our God, we too can and should strive to treat others this way.