Kindred,
I am confused by your friend's attitude when it comes to respecting the Lord and people, His children.
He seems to think people have to earn his respect, instead of first giving respect.
Was he not taught to respect people and the Lord?
If he does not give respect, he will never get respect.
Respecting people also goes hand in hand with self-respect.
Without self-respect you will never feel it to receive it.
When that happens, you experience low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
Therefore, in order to not feel bad about yourself, you need to first respect yourself, the Lord and people.
Self-respect is a must if you are to ever feel truly good about yourself (and others).
P.s.
You can earn greater respect by being honorable and doing good.
You can lose respect by being dishonorable and doing bad or falling from grace.
