Did you ever stop to think about God’s reputation?  We can get so upset when we think our reputation is in question through a misunderstanding, but what about God’s reputation?

As a biblically defined follower of Jesus Christ – regenerated by Holy Spirit power – we reflect our Father.  The family name – Christian—is at stake.
Growing up, were you aware, like I was, that what I said and did reflected on my parents, on my family?  In much the same way, what we say and do now reflects on the whole family of believers, our brothers and sister in Christ.  I suspect that you, like me, have heard comments and negative opinions about “Christians” other people know.  “Christians” that have not acted or lived like Jesus-followers.  Truth be told, I am sure there are ways that I have not represented the family name well.  Like when the irritation in my voice is evident with the incompetent clerk, or when I shake my head (like I did yesterday) at the truck driver that cut in front of me at a light… or the times I yelled at my young children IN PUBLIC (or at home).  In those moments, and I have had many, I am not living in Gospel truth reflecting my Father in an honoring way.

Beyond the family reputation, there is the reputation of our Father and Jesus, His Son and our Brother.  As a Jesus-follower, our lives should look and be different from our unregenerate neighbor.  I don’t want it to be said by those around me, “I never knew she was a believer.”

God is Jealous for His name.
1. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Is 48:11
2. But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 20:9
3. But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. Ezekiel 36:21-22
4. And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. Ezekiel 39:7
5. I will be jealous for my holy name. Ezekiel 39:25
6. They have defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. Ezekiel 43:8

May our lives reflect the character of Jesus our Savior and may they honor His Name and reputation.
Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick.  In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events.  She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years.  She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all.  She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.