Past heroism, accomplishment and character do not show on the surface. But even if someone has done little or nothing with their life, it is still important to show everyone basic respect, as human beings created in the image and likeness of God. That is, until they prove themselves more worthy of disdain. Showing respect to a Charles Manson or Muslim terrorists, who rape children and murder the innocent is a contradiction of justice. Jesus, himself, openly condemned such wickedness without "respect of persons" (Col.3:25).... regardless of how rich or powerful the person might have been. Jesus showed no respect to the hypocritical Pharisees when He called them "whitewashed graves full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." Matt.23:27. Nor was he showing the money changers, in the Temple, respect when he drove them out with a whip and called them a "den of thieves". But, in both cases, they had proven themselves to be just what Jesus said they were. In almost every other case, Jesus showed respect, not partiality, to sinners of every sort, loved them, forgave them and saved them.
So, respect to everyone we meet along the way is essential, unless they have proven themselves to be "beyond the pale" of common decency. "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim.4:2 .... "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Eph. 4:19. But, of course, that is for God to judge and reveal unto us, as He will, if we are uncertain and have need of increased spiritual perception.
Without God's leadership and the spiritual perception, that only He can give, we are not wise enough or spiritual enough to recognize what another person truly is and therefore often miss judge or miss read them by their outward appearance.
"....The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam.16:7.
Take, for instance, the case of an old gentleman who was retired, but bored so he took a job with Walmart as a greeter of customers at the entrance, and to help them with a cart. He had arrived for work late several times in the first month so his boss asked him one morning, "Before you retired, what would the manager have said to you if you came in late for work?" The old man thought a moment and answered .... "Good morning Admiral, would you like coffee?" True story.
Another true story, and just as pertinent to the importance of showing respect to everybody, without partiality (respect of persons) to those who look deserving, is at the link below. Be kind ... Be Christlike. Respect others, if you have no real reason to do otherwise.... and there are such times. RB
http://usoonpatrol.org/archives/2010/09/07/leadership-and-the-janitor
