Do you have a reputation? Whether we believe it or not, whether we like it or not, we all have a reputation. Our reputation could be due in part to a single event, either good or bad. It may be the result of many things done over a long period of time. Our reputation may be known only as far as our home. It may be localized to our workplace or our classroom. It may go beyond to our neighborhood or city, or even beyond that into the state, the nation or the world. We all have a reputation.
REPUTATION = RESPECTED
Boaz was a man of reputation. He was a worthy man, a moral man, a man esteemed within his community (Ruth 2:1). He was recognized and respected at the gates of the city, where legal and business dealings took place, as well as where people gathered socially or came seeking advice and counsel from the elders and men of influence of the city. Boaz was welcomed in the gates. He was respected (Ruth 4:1-12).
As Christians, it’s important, good, and even necessary that we have a good reputation. When the Apostle Paul told Timothy to establish leadership within the churches by selecting elders (overseers), one of the requirements was that they be “well thought of by outsiders”. When the church was born in Acts 2 and the Holy Spirit was growing the church by leaps and bounds, the Apostles couldn’t continue to do all the work themselves. So they asked the people to pick out from among them seven men “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Right on par with, and equally important as, being full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom was having a good reputation. And in Mark 15:43, we read that after Jesus had died on the cross, a man named Joseph of Arimathea courageously came to Pontius Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. But Joseph was no stranger to public life. Joseph was “respected”, which also means honored and attractive. That is, there was something respectable and attractive about the way Joseph lived and carried himself about. Just like Boaz. Just like us?
These men, these Christians, had a good public image. And so should we as disciples of Jesus Christ. In fact, as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, we should be the best earthly citizens. Our earthly citizenship is lived out as a reflection of our heavenly citizenship.
Furthermore, as it pertains to our reputation and our being respected, nothing should stand in the way of the gospel being accepted. No, we shouldn’t do whatever it takes for us as Christians to be accepted by others. Jesus did not seek to please himself nor did he set out to behave or to speak in any way necessary to please people or to be accepted by them (Romans 15:3). But Paul says that we should give no INTENTIONAL “offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:32 – 11:1). As Paul imitated Jesus, so we should give no obstacle to the gospel in our reputation.
This is the tension we live with as the church of Jesus Christ and His disciples: no obstacle to the gospel, no compromise of the gospel.
REPUTATION = BEHAVIOR
Ruth was a woman of reputation. She was a woman of excellence. We know this because Boaz said to her, “…all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman” (Ruth 3:11). The whole city had seen and heard of Ruth’s behavior and conduct. They’d been watching her since the day she arrived. She was a foreigner, yet her reputation became such, her behavior earned her such respect, that she became “one of their own”. She was accepted on that basis.
It’s important for us as Christians to understand that our behavior is bound up with the gospel. And my behavior will either open or shut doors. 1 Peter 3:1 says that a Christian wife can win her unbelieving husband without a word, by her conduct. Why? How? Because behavior is bound up with the gospel. Colossians 4:5-6 says this about our behavior, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (emphasis mine). Wisdom in conduct and behavior understands that there is a right and a wrong way to behave in each circumstance, as well as a right and a wrong way to speak to each person.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 tells us “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Romans 13:13-14 challenges us as Christians to “walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Titus 3:1-2 reminds us “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” And then Paul says in verse 3 that we should behave this way because “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” Our good, respectable behavior is bound up in our relationship with Jesus. Our reputation is bound up with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is no separation between my faith and my conduct. Therefore, telling people about Jesus should not be the ONLY thing I do. It’s the highest and the greatest, but if my mindset is that living for Jesus involves ONLY telling people about Him, areas in my life such as my marriage, family, finances, morals, etc. will unravel and becoming disordered, if not distorted. Jesus says we’ll be blessed when we’re accused of things that are false, not when we’re accused of things that are true (Matthew 5:11). Unworthy conduct “puts off” rather than encourages outsiders to come to the church, the house and family of God. But worthy conduct in every area of our life, both private and public, is a true reflection of the life and character of Jesus Christ. We should do good, honor everyone and allow our reputation to speak for itself (1 Peter 2:15-17). We should always be ready to answer when asked about our faith, yet with gentleness and respect, allowing our reputation to defend us (1 Peter 3:15-16).
We must steward our reputation for Jesus, not squander it.
REPUATION = PRAISE
Boaz is a man of reputation. So when he decides to marry Ruth, what does that say about her? Because of who he is and how he has conducted himself, it speaks volumes about her, and vice-versa. The reputation of each served to enhance the other’s reputation.
Our reputation should serve others by causing them to be held in greater esteem. When my wife tells others she’s married to “Jonathan Evans”, my reputation in my community will either cast a shadow over her or be light. The reputation of our church leaders either enhances or diminishes the reputation of our churches. The reputation of a believer either enhances or diminishes the reputation of a local church.
Proverbs 31:10 says that “an excellent wife is hard to find”. What kind of wife? One who is worthy and esteemed. And then it says in verse 23 that her husband is “known in the gates” of their city. Her reputation (the respect she’s earned due to her behavior and conduct) as a woman and as a wife, measurably increases his reputation as a man and her husband. Her reputation is a form of praise for him and his is a form of praise for her.
Proverbs 31:28 says that the husband praises her. I wonder: are there witnesses to my reputation? Are there to yours? Is there anyone around us that would confirm that our reputation is or is not what we claim it to be? Are we respected for our conduct and behavior? But what is the evidence of our reputation? In the last verse of this chapter, it says that the works of the wife praise her in the gates of the city. From the story of Ruth, remember the gates of a city were where all the people gathered formally and informally. There in the gates, there was evidence of a reputation. There her works praised her. There her works earned her respect. Think of where people gather now. Do our works praise us there?
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
I think Proverbs 31:10-31 could be and should be used as a measuring rod for the reputation of the Bride of Jesus Christ, the church. If we were to read through each verse, would it be true of us? We are either a multiplier or a diminisher of the glory of Jesus Christ. May our reputation be a sweet offering of worship to God and a bright reflection of Christ to man.
This post adapted from the sermon RUTH: God's extraordinary work through our reputation
Recent Comments