Character Building - Reputation

Character Building

(Stepping stones in the lives of Biblical saints)

The Character Building series is designed to accent a good or bad trait, example, or statement drawn from the life of a biblical person(s) that helps point us in the direction of being a lover of God.

A Good Reputation  - Zechariah and Elizabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. Luke 1:6 ESV

How important is your reputation to you?  The bible says that a good name is more to be desired than great riches.  How important is the reputation of some of the leaders in TV, entertainment or politics who have had to step down because of sexual misconduct?  For many their action took place many years ago, while some are still embroiled in their addiction.  There should be a little fear in all of us that “our sins will be exposed.”  For we have all sinned and fallen way short of the holy requirements that God has established for us.  We need to drop our rocks of accusation until we know that Jesus has covered and forgiven our own sins.

Lessons we can learn from Zechariah and Elizabeth

Background info: He was a priest and she was a daughter from the line of Aaron.  They were married for a long time and had the “curse” of barrenness.  Zechariah entered the temple and encountered and angel who told him Elizabeth would become pregnant in her old age. He doubted what they angel said and lost his voice until the baby would be born. She would later birth a son that we know as John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus.  He would prepare people by preaching for them to repent because the messiah was coming.

Points to consider

They were both:  This recording of the couple indicates that they both had a good reputation.  Oh, the sorrow of couples who have been unequally yoked from the start of their marriage.  There is great pain when one spouse makes decisions that bring shame upon the marriage.  This is not the time for you to point a finger at your spouse with “I am better than you attitude.”  It is the time to pray daily that God would allow you to walk together in humility toward one another.  It is the time for you to pray for protection and wisdom .  It is the time to ask the Lord to protect us from the temptation and sins that so easily beset us.

Righteous:  This word does not mean “perfect”.  This word carries the idea that they were conforming to the character of God.  The standard of their reputation was consistent with the goodness that we expect in God.  He is kind, just, and loving.

Walking: In the Greek this word is more than just moving in a direction.  Rather walking carries the meaning of moving from one destination to a specific other destination.  Paul says that we don’t fight aimlessly.  Rather there is a specific purpose for everything we do.

Blamelessly: Receiving a statement of approval that you are without blame.

Commands and statutes:  the requirements based in God’s word for holy living.

They were both righteous (conforming to God’s character) in the sight (in the sphere) of God because they were walking (moving toward the destination) blameless in the requirements and commandments of God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were not perfect.  But they were known to be people who were moving toward the standard of holy living, by men and by God.

Points to consider.

·       A good reputation is earned

·       A good reputation is earned by aligning our activities with God’s standard of holy living.  It doesn’t just happen by chance.  There is movement in our lives toward that which is good.

·       When we mess up, we ask God for forgiveness and we try to make restitution from the one we have offended.  When we “own” up to our mistakes, it strengthens our character instead of devaluing it.  God wants to cover our sin, more than He wants to expose it, but it will be dealt with.

·       Finally, we live holy by following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  For He will always lead us into truth.  He will remind us what scriptures we should obey to follow him.

Prayer

Father, help spouses to pray and believe in one another to choose to follow your commands.  Encourage someone today that God can change us.  You, God, are all about transforming us into your image, regardless of how bad we think we have become.  But we must work with you by following the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for teaching us that we should desire a good name which comes from obedience to your word.  In Jesus name, Amen.