One of the lessons that is quickly learned in military basic training is respect. Respect and honor were taught in all aspects of military life from how you treated your superiors to how you treated civilians. You were also taught to respect the flag, the country, and the uniform.
There are several ways in which soldiers show respect. You addressed officers as “Sir” or “Ma’am” as you also did with civilians. You walked to the left and slightly behind those that held a higher rank. These, and many more things, were courtesies, or traditions, that were signs of respect.
When in uniform, one always removed their headgear (hats) while indoors. This was a lesson quickly learned when you forgot to remove your hat indoors and your buddy smacks you on top of the head and yells “HEADGEAR!”.
For men, removing his hat has been a sign of respect for many centuries. Records indicate that Knights removed their helmet in the presence of a King and in the presence of a lady. Indeed, the practice continues today when gentlemen remove their hats during the playing of the National Anthem or the reciting of the pledge of allegiance. We may have lost some of our etiquette when it comes to removing our hats, but certainly the practice still exists when partaking of a meal, while in a court of law, or while in a church building (regardless of the reason).
Romans 13:7 says “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (ESV) We should all consider how respectful we are when entering the Walter Hill church building. We should consider what we are wearing and how we are acting. Our God is certainly due all respect, honor, glory and awe. Fellow Christians are also due our respect and honor.