I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. (Revelation 3:1–3, NIV 1984).
My Musings – A reputation is merely one’s quality or character as seen or judged by others. It may not be a true reflection of reality, as what is unseen by others may not be found “complete in the sight of [our] God.” The true judge.
Many times, a person’s reputation is merely a veneer, “like a coating of glaze over earthenware.” (Proverbs 26:23, NIV 1984). Having no depth, no sincerity, no passion. “Like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside [they] appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, [they] are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, NIV 1984).
My Advice – God knows when our reputation in inconsistent with our deeds or heart. He sees the unseen. It is up to us to remember the commitment we made upon hearing and receiving God’s saving grace. We must not allow that to die. True character does not need a reputation. For its quality is proven when no one is looking.
The Brew Is A Musing 