Like it or not, every institution has a reputation. A city, a business, a team, their reputations are formed by others. Some are accurate. Some are not.
In Revelation 3:17, the church at Laodicea had formed a reputation as being “rich...having need of nothing.” God said they were in reality, “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
The dictionary defines reputation as “views generally held about somebody or something.” Those “views” may be incorrect, based upon inaccurate information, but when one obtains a reputation it is hard to escape it or to change it.
What about a church? Can a church have a reputation today? Yes, and it is usually formed by an individual’s contacts with that church.
The church at Smyrna, Revelation 2:9, was reputed to be in “poverty,” but God said they were “rich.”
What kind of reputation do we have in this community? Prejudices may occasionally affect a reputation, but we will carry a reputation with us.
When John wrote about the seven churches of Asia, he wrote by inspiration, Revelation 1:1. How do we want our neighbors to feel about us? What kind of reputation do we want to possess here, and even more important, in the sight of God?
The Family Of God
The Bible speaks of Christ’s church and her members as being “sons of God,” John 1:12, “children of the living God,” Matthew 5:9. Each member is related to the others – “brother..sister..”, etc.
To churches of Galatia, Paul wrote, “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise,” Galatians 3:29.
Family. Heirs of God’s promises. These terms reflect a good, positive reputation. We know that brothers and sisters can sometimes have disagreements. Paul and Barnabas strongly differed on a judgment matter, but their concern was for the church’s welfare. Acts 15:36-41.
Do our neighbors see this “family” relationship within each of us? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Does that love manifest itself in the words we speak? In our deeds? Would you go to a brother or sister’s aid if need be? That’s how our friends and neighbors will see that we are truly a family – the family of God, John 13:34-35.
Good Bible Students
Our beliefs are based upon what the Bible teaches, so we must be (or become) serious students of the Bible. I have heard all my life that there was a time when we were known all over the nation as “walking Bibles.” Whether that was an accurate assessment or not, we need to be excellent students of the Bible, knowledgeable of those foundational facts upon which our strong convictions are established.
In order to be known as good students of the Bible we must be willing to be more diligent, more eager to study God’s Word. I believe that many in this family of Christians are just that – capable Bible students. Let 2 Timothy 2:15 be our motivation to do so: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Generous, Caring People
When a person gains a reputation for being stingy, miserly, it contradicts what the Bible teaches Christians ought to be. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35. Both Old and New Testaments teach, “If your enemy hungers, feed him,” Proverbs 25:21, Romans 12:20. Yes, some limits are placed upon such benevolence, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, but God’s people will always have tender hearts, seeking the very best interests of their brothers and sisters, as well as others in need. Paul spoke plainly about this need:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:10.
That will build a good reputation.
Strong For Truth
Jesus said God’s Word is truth, John 17:17. He also warned against those who would speak and promote that which is not truth, Matthew 7:15. His early followers were willing to go to prison to defend that “truth,” Acts 4:8-12, 5:17-29, Philippians 1:17.
Does that not make it important for God’s people, Christ’s church, to be the preachers/teachers/defenders of truth? Paul wrote:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Jesus’ followers should always be known for taking a firm stand for truth. That’s a good reputation to have, too.
Every Christian’s Responsibility
The reputation of God’s family always rests on the behavior of each member. How do friends see us at school, at the grocery store, driving in our car, out in the community? We represent God’s family, and that privilege must not be taken lightly.
