Tag Archives: a good reputation

April 7, 2017 · 5:38 AM

Being A Child Of God


I was in the Sixth grade when I first read, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). I remember pondering that Scripture and thinking about what it meant and how important it was to have a good name. As I thought about it, I realized that I had been given a good name from my parents. My dad had received it from his parents as well. It became important to me to not mess up a name that had been good for at least two generations. I now have a child of my own who has taken my name. I’m trying to make sure he is raised in a way that protects that name. 

In the same way, when we accept Christ into our hearts, we are reborn and adopted into God’s family. We become children of God and take on His name, CHRISTians. I believe it’s up to each one of us to protect that name and to make sure it’s a good name. To some people, you may be the only Christian they’ll meet. It’s important that we live up to the good name that He gave us as His children. We do that by living out our faith, not for our glory, but for His name’s sake.

Here are some verses on being a child of God with His name.

1. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.
JOHN 1:12 AMP

2. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:14-15 NLT

3. Those who are children of God do not continue to sin, for God’s very nature is in them; and because God is their Father, they cannot continue to sin.
1 John 3:9 GNT

4. For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus.
GALATIANS 3:26 AMP

5. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6 NLT

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December 6, 2016 · 5:43 AM

Actions Speak Louder


How many times have you told someone, “Actions speak louder than words”? Probably too many times to count. A pet peeve that we all share is someone who says one thing and does another. It speaks to their credibility and your ability to trust what they say. I’m sure we can all think of examples right now of times we’ve encountered this in others. The sad thing is that it happens in the Church as much as anywhere. That’s why the book of James in the Bible is pretty much about just that.

We’re all familiar with “Don’t just be a hearer of the Word, but a doer also,” and “Faith without works is dead.” James continues this theme throughout his book to remind us that we can’t just talk like Christians, we must live and act like Christians. James 3:13 says, “Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts” (MSG). As he wrote, it speaks to our reputation.

Living well can be translated into living honorably. People around us should be able to trust what we say. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich.” What is your reputation among other believers? Are you someone they can count on? Are you a person that has an honorable reputation among your local group of believers? What about your reputation among non-believers? To me, this one is of utmost importance. If the faith we claim is denied by the way we live, how will we win them?

I was always told that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. What I’ve learned is that there is always someone looking. People are always watching us as believers. Our lives should reflect what we say we believe. I’m not saying you have to live perfectly because that’s impossible, but you do have to live honorably. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. So let’s not have dead faith. Let’s be doers of the Word and live a life that acts out the faith we profess. 

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May 14, 2015 · 7:27 AM

Building A Good Name

I was in the Sixth grade when I was first made aware of Proverbs 22:1. Mr. Davidson had all of our names written on scrolls and placed up on the bulletin board. Right on the middle was a bigger scroll with the words, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” I remember looking at it and wondering if the name “Chris” was better than the other names on the board. I was looking at it the wrong way. Mr. Davidson explained that name meant reputation and that each one of us were in control of our reputation through our actions.

I’ve given a lot of thought to that verse since my first day in Sixth grade. When faced with tough decisions, I’ve always asked myself, “Will this give me a good name or destroy the one I have?” I wish I could say I’ve always made the right choice, but I haven’t. When I’ve messed up, I’ve had to go back and rebuild. A good name is not given to you, it’s earned and built over time. I’ve learned that a decision made in a moment can tear down something that has taken a lifetime to build. 

One of the best ways to build a good name for yourself is to be honest. For some reason, we buy into the lie that we have to make things up or embellish the facts in order to build a good reputation. The truth is what Ben Franklin once said: Honesty is the best policy. When you tell the truth, you don’t have to try to remember what you told someone. Psalm 51:6 says, “But you (God) desire honesty from the womb.” And Proverbs 11:5 tells us that the godly are directed by honesty. In order to have a good name, you’ve got to start by being honest.

Another way to have a good name is by being humble. Don’t think higher of yourself than you should as Romans 12:3 put it.  There’s a fine line between being confident and being proud. People are drawn to confidence, but pushed away by pride. I’ve found that not only does God resist the proud, but people do too. Humility doesn’t mean you constantly beat yourself up. It’s having a mindset that reminds you that you are not above anyone or anything. If we are constantly seeking glory for everything we do, it’s hard to stay humble.

When I think of people that have a good reputation, I think of happy people. They don’t let the pressures and problems of life hold them down. They have a positive mental attitude that sees struggle and hardship as opportunities for growth rather than as reasons they’re being held back. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing. (AMP)” Happiness is a force that attracts others because it bring healing to their lives. It is an outward expression of an inward peace that comes from knowing God has everything under control. 

These are just a few ways that you can build a good name. What ways have you seen? 

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