A Question of Reputation
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8
After a long and successful business career, Raymond Donovan agreed to serve as Secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan. In 1987 Donovan and several others were charged with larceny and corruption in relation to a subway construction project. After the trial, in which Donovan and all the other defendants were acquitted of all charges, Donovan held a press conference on the steps of the courthouse. In his statement Donovan asked, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?”
Webster’s Dictionary defines reputation as the “Estimation in which a person or thing is commonly held, whether favorable or not; character in the view of the public, the community, etc.” It’s important to have a good reputation in the sense that we are not dragging the name of God (which we, as Christians, carry wherever we go) through the mud by our lives. That is what David did in his sin with Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan said, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die” (2 Samuel 12:14).
But our concern should never be the prideful kind that cares about reputation for our own sake. Instead, like Jesus we should be willing to be looked down upon and falsely accused as long as we are doing right. The world does not have to admire us, but we should live in such a way that our faith is evident and real.
Philippians 2:5-8
After a long and successful business career, Raymond Donovan agreed to serve as Secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan. In 1987 Donovan and several others were charged with larceny and corruption in relation to a subway construction project. After the trial, in which Donovan and all the other defendants were acquitted of all charges, Donovan held a press conference on the steps of the courthouse. In his statement Donovan asked, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?”
Webster’s Dictionary defines reputation as the “Estimation in which a person or thing is commonly held, whether favorable or not; character in the view of the public, the community, etc.” It’s important to have a good reputation in the sense that we are not dragging the name of God (which we, as Christians, carry wherever we go) through the mud by our lives. That is what David did in his sin with Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan said, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die” (2 Samuel 12:14).
But our concern should never be the prideful kind that cares about reputation for our own sake. Instead, like Jesus we should be willing to be looked down upon and falsely accused as long as we are doing right. The world does not have to admire us, but we should live in such a way that our faith is evident and real.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we are more concerned with God’s reputation than with ours, we will be more effective for Him.
Be Friendly
by Joyce Meyer - posted January 07, 2017
Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.]…
—1 Peter 4:9
I encourage you to show love for others by simply being friendly. Some people go through life with a lot on their minds—and they can appear to be rather unfriendly, intense, or even rude. I know; I'm one of those people, and maybe you are too. You aren't unfriendly; you're simply focused on other things and not always mindful to smile and greet people when you see them.
Relationships—casual ones, intimate ones, and all the ones in between—are a large part of life. In fact, the Bible is a book about relationships: our relationships with God, with ourselves, and with others. As I've studied the Bible, one of the lessons I've learned is to take the time to smile at people, ask how they are, and find something friendly to say to them.
If we're too busy to be friendly, then we are out of balance and headed for relational disaster. But being appropriately warm and open toward others can put people at ease and is often the first step toward a good relationship.
It's easy to wonder how we will feel if we smile at people and they don't smile back; we don't want to be rejected or ignored. Most of us spend more time in life trying to avoid rejection than we do trying to develop good, healthy relationships. When this happens, we are missing the opportunity to touch people with the love of God through a smile or friendly word. When we give our smiles or a happy hello, we can make someone else smile, and that is one of the best gifts we can give.
Love Others Today: "Lord, please help me be kind and friendly to everyone I meet as a way of showing Your love to them."
—1 Peter 4:9
I encourage you to show love for others by simply being friendly. Some people go through life with a lot on their minds—and they can appear to be rather unfriendly, intense, or even rude. I know; I'm one of those people, and maybe you are too. You aren't unfriendly; you're simply focused on other things and not always mindful to smile and greet people when you see them.
Relationships—casual ones, intimate ones, and all the ones in between—are a large part of life. In fact, the Bible is a book about relationships: our relationships with God, with ourselves, and with others. As I've studied the Bible, one of the lessons I've learned is to take the time to smile at people, ask how they are, and find something friendly to say to them.
If we're too busy to be friendly, then we are out of balance and headed for relational disaster. But being appropriately warm and open toward others can put people at ease and is often the first step toward a good relationship.
It's easy to wonder how we will feel if we smile at people and they don't smile back; we don't want to be rejected or ignored. Most of us spend more time in life trying to avoid rejection than we do trying to develop good, healthy relationships. When this happens, we are missing the opportunity to touch people with the love of God through a smile or friendly word. When we give our smiles or a happy hello, we can make someone else smile, and that is one of the best gifts we can give.
Love Others Today: "Lord, please help me be kind and friendly to everyone I meet as a way of showing Your love to them."
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