Reputation Vs. Character

“Character is the one thing we make in this world and take with us into the next. The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation; the truth you believe determines your character. Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are. Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; Character is what you have when you go away. Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime. Reputation grows like a mushroom; Character grows like an oak. Your reputation is learned in an hour; Your character is does not come to light for a year. A single newspaper report gives your reputation; a life of toil gives you your character. Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor; Character makes you happy or makes you miserable. Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone; Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God. Your character is what God knows you to be. Your reputation is what men think you are” (William Hershey Davis).

As a child of God, are you more concerned about building your reputation or your character?  Be careful about focusing on your reputation instead of your character.  While both can be important, efforts directed toward being a person of godly character can pay greater dividends.  A reputation can be a fickle thing.  It can be built or destroyed very quickly.  Character is a more long term endeavor.  A reputation is usually based on external actions or words so it is more easily faked than character.  Character is an internal issue that, oddly enough, is more difficult to mask.

Let’s make it our aim to have a proven character.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3–5).

God loves you!

Mike

Reversal

“Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9).

Times were tough for the church in Philadelphia in the first century.  Like the other six churches addressed by the Risen Lord in the book of Revelation, these brothers and sisters were feeling the heat of persecution.  But in spite of the fact that they didn’t have much influence in the culture around them (“a little power,” 3.8), these Christians were continuing to obey the words of Jesus and steadfastly refusing to deny Him.  The main source of their struggle was the militant Jews of the time.  These false claimants of the name “Jew,” who professed to be worshipping God but, in reality, were serving Satan, were making life miserable for the believers in Philadelphia.  The spiritual progeny of those who hounded Christ and His apostles were still abusing His followers.

But a reversal was coming.  Because of the faithfulness of the Philadelphian disciples in the face of trials, the Lord promises to deal with their persecutors.  What a message of comfort to a hurting church!  The day was coming when the persecutor would bow before the persecuted.  The hater would be humbled in the presence of Christ’s love for His spiritual family.  The reversal of circumstances is a time-honored message of hope for those who are faithful to God (cf. Isaiah 49:23; 60:14; Philippians 2:5-11).  By the time one reaches the final chapters of Revelation, we see the reversal pictured prominently in the new heaven and earth (cf. Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27; 22:14-15).

We thank you Lord that suffering for our faith IS NOT the final word.  Please help us, Father, to maintain our faith until Your time of reversal, when all wrongs will be righted by Your power and for Your glory.

God loves you!

Mike