Edification for the Mind & Spirit…A Daily Piece of Peace
1/20/12
My Reputation Precedes Me
As like many, my reputation has not always been in the best condition because of things that I have done, said and/or encouraged. I allowed myself to be taken out of character on a few occasions not realizing that my brief character separation would cause others to attribute my actions toward their overall opinion of who I was/am (i.e.; my reputation). There is an old saying that goes something like this, “you only have one time to make a 1st impression”. Let me piggy-back on that for a minute by adding this…although, you only have one time to make a 1st impression, it is every impression, both good and bad, that you make that determines who people believe you to be. Our reputation is a large determinant as to how effective we can or can’t be in the lives of others. Would you leave a bowl full of money around someone who has a reputation of being a gambler? Would you trust your child’s safety to someone convicted of pedophilia? Would you leave your most valuable material possessions around someone who is a known thief? I ask…would you believe the word of GOD being preached by someone today who used that very word to destroy yesterday? That last one was a trick question. Follow me….
I believe GOD gives each of us the instinctual ability to judge others reputations by the impressions they make on us yet HE also the ability to recognize change and REDEMPTION through HIS redeeming of OUR past deeds. Feel me? Although there are “common sense” scenarios that we MUST use PROPER judgment in, there are and always will be those situations in which GOD will reveal CHANGE, REDEMPTION, RESTORATION and HIS AUTHORITY on those whose reputations preceded them in negative ways.
And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God in me.
(Gal, 1:22-24)
GOD had taken Saul, who persecuted Christians and created a new creation in him as Paul, a man who was a warrior for CHRIST who preached the gospel in TRUTH. Through the redeeming grace and mercy of GOD, Saul had become Paul and was able to glorify GOD through the outward change that was present to all whom he had encountered. I thank GOD for HIS redemption. When those judged, judge and will judge who I am in CHRIST NOW because of who I USED to be and REFUSE to see the GOD in me NOW I will rest upon this thought…Because you recognize who I used to be to GOD be the glory!
Stay Blessed, Stay Happy, Stay Wise, Stay Humble & Stay Edified People!
Pastor Joyce Roundtree