| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Character and integrity” Our Bible verse for today: “A good name is better than fine perfume.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Your reputation matters” A person’s reputation is what others have come to believe to be true about them. It is the belief or opinion that the person has particular habits, characteristics, and patterns of conduct that reveal who they are and what they are like. Ideally, if the observers are fair in their estimation of us, then our reputation that is formed in their minds has developed over an extended period of time and is the sum total of the words they have heard us say and the conduct they have observed in us (as opposed to basing their conclusion about us on single events or unfortunate misspoken words. There is a larger picture of us that goes far beyond momentary lapses, and that larger picture should be what matters most). But with that said, first impressions matter too, and individual events can create powerful impressions that last. Now, for the most part, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to become overly preoccupied worrying what people think of us. But it’s still true that how we’re seen and what people believe to be true about us does matter. As Christians we represent Jesus to other people. That’s one reason so many passages in the Bible call us to live as holy people who honor God – it’s because people should be able to see Jesus in us. That’s also why we should strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Reputation matters, and you represent Christ. Men and women of character and integrity remember that their words and actions matter and that they are revealing. What other people believe to be true of us will be based largely on what they’ve heard us say and what they’ve seen us do. Since we Christians are representatives of Christ, we need to conduct ourselves in a way that truly does honor Him and which is consistent with the Biblical principles we profess to believe. An unbelieving world needs to see that to be true of us. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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