I remember watching one of those music reality shows and one of the judges told one of the contestants what Hollywood’s philosophy of life for stars truly is: They can talk good about you or bad about you, all that’s important is that they are talking about you. It seems to work for them because no matter how much of a fool some stars act people still see their movies or listen to their music.

 

The problem with that philosophy in the Christian life is that to the outsider God’s reputation is closely tied to our reputation. I know it shouldn’t be that way, but the unbelieving world doesn’t see any other visual or audio representation of God other than our lives. So that means that through our reputation we can give God a good or bad reputation in the eyes of others.

 

So, for example, Paul tells the Thessalonian church: Your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (1 Thessalonians 1:8, ESV) The church had such a great reputation of faith that everyone was talking about it and giving glory to God. But then there is the other side of the coin. When David committed his sin with Bathsheba, he was confronted with these words from Nathan the prophet, who told him: By this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of Yahweh to blaspheme. (2 Samuel 12:14, LSB) David’s sin gave unbelievers a reason to mock God. It works both ways.

 

So, what kind of reputation do you have, and how is it affecting the reputation of God in a world that is watching?