Reputation

reputation

• A good reputation can be built by obeying God's Word (Deuteronomy 4: 1-4)-Deuteronomy 4:1 (NLT) “And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.  Deuteronomy 4:2 (NLT) Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.  Deuteronomy 4:3 (NLT) “You saw for yourself what the Lord did to you at Baal-peor. There the Lord your God destroyed everyone who had worshiped Baal, the god of Peor.  Deuteronomy 4:4 (NLT) But all of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today—every one of you.  Deuteronomy 4:5 (NLT) “Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy.  Deuteronomy 4:6 (NLT) Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’  Deuteronomy 4:7 (NLT) For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?  Deuteronomy 4:8 (NLT) And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?  Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT) “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.  Deuteronomy 4:10 (NLT) Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’  Deuteronomy 4:11 (NLT) “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while flames from the mountain shot into the sky. The mountain was shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness.  Deuteronomy 4:12 (NLT) And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.  Deuteronomy 4:13 (NLT) He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.  Deuteronomy 4:14 (NLT) It was at that time that the Lord commanded me to teach you his decrees and regulations so you would obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

The LORD has given His People instruction on how to live a holy life.  This is a life of integrity.  These instructions when followed carefully by believers are lifesaving, and life-changing.  This can help build good reputations for those who live by it.  The commands given to God's People through His Servant Moses, were given not only for salvation, but, for excellency, and reputable holiness among His Children-God's People.  God's Word gives wisdom to those who not only read or hear it, but, live by it.  The LORD's decrees are righteous and fair.  The LORD commands us not only to live by His Wisdom, but, also to teach others to live by it as well.  We are to preserve His Word, and His Commands.  Keep them in Our hearts, and teach our descendants, as well as others.  And all who know you will know that you are God's Children.  They will know that you are set apart from the world to live a life of holiness and wisdom.  This wisdom will be a blessing in every area of your life, and you will reap the benefits of it.

• Integrity builds a good reputation (Ruth 2: 1-13)-Ruth 2:1 (NLT) Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.  Ruth 2:2 (NLT) One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.”  Ruth 2:3 (NLT) So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.  Ruth 2:4 (NLT) While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied.  Ruth 2:5 (NLT) Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”  Ruth 2:6 (NLT) And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi.  Ruth 2:7 (NLT) She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”  Ruth 2:8 (NLT) Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field.  Ruth 2:9 (NLT) See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”  Ruth 2:10 (NLT) Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”  Ruth 2:11 (NLT) “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.  Ruth 2:12 (NLT) May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”  Ruth 2:13 (NLT) “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”

When God's Children live a life of integrity, it builds a good reputation in your community, and among people in your immediate surroundings.  Those who see, and hear of the LORD's righteousness through you, will confirm, and can vouch for you.  They should say that you are a person of integrity.  When you live a life in the love of God, you will bear fruit (spiritual fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, faith, temperance, and humility).  When you bear fruit, you will be reputable among any people.  The truth will have to be told.  

• A bad reputation will follow you (Proverbs 25: 9-10)-Proverbs 29:9 (NLT) If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.  Proverbs 29:10 (NLT) The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.

If you do not live a life of wisdom, you will likely get a bad reputation for it.  If you have a bad reputation, it will follow you everywhere you go.  So, what verse 9 is saying is that, for example, if you are taken to court by a wise person, and you are not wise, but, are a fool before God, you will likely be ranting, and ridiculing, in front of the judge, however, you will not obtain satisfaction because the judge will see right through you.  Verse 10 is saying that there are bloodthirsty (evil, dishonest, haters, back-biters, backsliders, and the like) who hate blameless (innocent) people.  But, those who are righteous will always seek to help the blameless.
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• The Christians in Rome had a reputation for obedience (Romans 16: 19)-Romans 16:19 (NLT) But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

The Romans who believed in God had a good reputation; one of obedience to God.  They had been instructed to notice and keep a watchful eye on those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which Jesus had taught His Disciples.  They were instructed to avoid those people.  The reason they were instructed to avoid them was because they did not serve our LORD Jesus Christ, but their own bellies (meaning they had their own selfish ambitions/agendas); and by good words, and fair speeches, deceived the hearts of the simple.  Outwardly, they appear to be appropriate, or good, but, inwardly they were wolves in sheep clothing).  But the LORD's Children are thoroughly trained to see with Spiritual eyes and possess a spirit of discernment; so we are able to see through all that.  We are commanded to keep away from it all.

• Guard your reputation (2 Corinthians 8: 18-24)-2 Corinthians 8:18 (NLT) We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News.  2 Corinthians 8:19 (NLT) He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.  2 Corinthians 8:20 (NLT) We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.  2 Corinthians 8:21 (NLT) We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.  2 Corinthians 8:22 (NLT) We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.  2 Corinthians 8:23 (NLT) If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.  2 Corinthians 8:24 (NLT) So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

We, as Christians are to guard our reputations.  We are to be careful in everything we do from going on missionary trips, preaching the Good News, taking offering, gifts, etc.  We need to take care and to have witnesses for all that we do.  So, we must be careful to prove to everyone that our Godly reputations are justified.  We must show Christ's love in Us everywhere we go.

• Maintain a good reputation among non-Christians (Colossians 4: 5)-Colossians 4:5 (NLT) Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

We must maintain a good reputation among non-Christians by living wisely among those who do not believe in Our LORD Jesus Christ, as well as those who believe, but do not live by the Word.  We must make the most of every opportunity to be exemplary before all.  This will help those who do not believe to see first-hand the life that God wants His Children to live by.  This will also help newcomers (baby Christians).  It is very important that God's Children set an example for all to see.

I hope this study on spiritual reputation is helpful to you as it is to me.  May the glory of God rest upon you and His blessings flow through and through.  May His peace be with you and you shine His light to the world.  God bless you all, until the next study!