Reputation

 

Reputation

Romans 16: ⁶ Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. ⁷ Greetings also to Andronicus and Junia, fellow Jews who were in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.

 

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When I had a question, I asked a few people. I was met with the same response. “Go see ‘that’ person.” I left the name off on purpose. When I met “that” person I understood why everyone spoke so highly. This person was caring, knowledgeable and worked hard. Great reputation.

 

• I have met many people based on their great reputation.
• I have had great experiences because their reputation was true.
• I have recommended people based on their reputation.

 

Paul mentions a few people who either he had encountered or heard the great reputation. Mary seemed like a woman Paul knew of by reputation while Andronicus and Junia were fellow cellmates. Each person he mention had a good reputation with serving the LORD in his experience.

 

• GOD wants me to have a good reputation amongst humans.
• GOD wants me to treat people well because I represent HIM.
• GOD wants me to work hard for others without worrying what people think of me.

 

Reputations require character. I mean, some reputations can be paid for by marketing geniuses, fooling the masses into belief. BUT GOD sees through trickery. GOD wants HIS SPIRIT to shine through me so JESUS’ reputation can be sought after. It is not “my” reputation that is important.

 

• What is your reputation?
• Do you feel your reputation is more important that JESUS’?
• Will you point your life to CHRIST by acting with HIS character and reduce trying to please people today?

I Better Mean What I Say

Psalm 101: ¹ I will sing of your love and justice;
    to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
² I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
    when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house
    with a blameless heart.

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“You are sorry you got caught” the officer said to me in reply to my apology. Prior to being pulled over I quickly said “Oh GOD, Please, please, please don’t let me get a ticket!” The officer was right. I was not sorry for what I had done, but I sure was mad that I had to pay.

• There are times I don’t like justice.
• There are times I don’t want to sing praises because my heart is too hard.
• There are times I refuse to yield and end up with consequence rather than blessing.

One day as I was zipping down the road with a coworker, I was pulled over. After claiming my ticket, I sped off only to be pulled over a second time. Fortunately the second officer asked “Where are you going?” He knew the business we were visiting and let me go with a warning! “I better be careful” I said to myself.

• GOD has forgiven me for my sins but allows “crops” to grow where I sow seeds.
• GOD has forgiven me for my sins and wants me to plant seeds of life rather than death.
• GOD has forgiven me for my sins and HE desires that I enjoy HIS rules rather than getting mad at how HE works in my life.

Living sinless, or as the author says “blameless” is pretty difficult. I will inadvertently sin; BUT GOD wants me to stay away from sin anyway, not because HE will hit me in the head with a bat but because I love HIM. HE knows there is power in modeling my behavior after HIM. HE knows I should have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The more fruit I bear the more GOD blossoms in my life.

• Are you bearing fruit with your current behavior?
• Do you think GOD is after you in a bad way or a good way?
• Can you believe GOD loves you and wants you to delight in HIS way rather than pouting that you are not getting yours?
• Will you turn your anger into praise for GOD’s justice?