It's All About Who You Know

I overheard a guy making this statement while whining about his job search woes at a bookstore last week, basically expressing doubt about the possibility of getting hired.  I still kind of regret missing the opportunity to speak life into his situation, but sometimes people have a spirit on them I just feel the need to run from.  I can’t bother with negativity sometimes.  But I couldn’t help but agree with what he said though.  It is all about who you know.  If you know God, he’ll know you. 

The Lord recognizes those who recognize his Son.  It’s only Jesus Christ who has the power to intercede for us (Ro 8:33-34).  Those who know God (both in word, and more importantly, in practice) will be recognized by him.  But if anyone is ashamed of him and his words, Jesus will be ashamed of him when he comes to the Father (Lk 9:26).  The Bible speaks of God’s regard for those who either acknowledge him, or not, in light of Judgment Day (Mt 10:32-33; Mk 8:38; Lk 12:9).  But I believe our lives are affected by that principal on earth as well.  Those who honor God will be honored, but those who despise him will be disdained (1 Sa 2:30).  Israel forgot God, so with divine correction, he punished them by selling them into the hand of their enemy (1 Sa 12:9; Heb 12:11).  For all of us who are familiar with Israel, they had a habit of doing this, as do many of us today: They failed to acknowledge God -in one way or another- and in his love, God disciplined Israel in order to restore them into good standing with him.  Surely, a person cannot expect to be treated any differently than they treat a just God. Yet, he continues to show us grace and mercy.  He remembers us when we’re in a bad place (Ps 136:23).  And I am thankful that he grants what’s not owed!  But we’re warned not to tempt him (Dt 6:16; Mt 4:7).     

It’s not only about who, but what we know.  By faith, through Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, we have power and authority on this earth to move mountains, and receive new jobs (Heb 11:1, Mt 28:18; Ac 1:8; Mt 17:20; 21:22)!  We have the ability to speak to a situation, and it must change Mk 11:23)!

Guarding the Reputation of Others

I’d mentioned this a week ago, as I spoke with a few others about honest report.  It came to me that we aren’t only supposed to be concerned about our own reputations, but the reputations of others.  I believe that guarding the reputation of other people is an expression of our love for them (Mt 22:36-39). 

What are you doing to ensure the good name of those around you?  Are you even damaging their name?  We should do to others as we would have them do to us, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Lk 6:31; Pr 31:8).  We aren’t to give false testimony, or speak falsely of them (Ex 20:16; 23:1; Ps 34:13; Jas 4:11).  But caring for other’s report isn’t limited to only false statements.

Do you reveal personal or sensational reports about others, be they true or false (which by the way, is the definition of gossip.  My definition of gossip is passing on anything you wouldn’t want known about yourself. Pr 11:9 and 13)?  Will you be like Ham, who was quick to tell of his father Noah’s indiscretion, or will you be like Shem and Japheth, who made sure he wasn’t further disgraced (Gen 9:20-23; Pr 17:9)?  A gossip betrays confidence, separates close friends, and without it a quarrel dies down (Pr 11:13; 16:28; 26:20).  We aren’t to slander one another (Lev 19:16; Ps 101:5).  Instead, we should speak words of encouragement and build people up (Acts 13:15; 20:2, Eph 4:29, 31; Php 4:8; 1 Th 5:10-12; Heb 3:13).

This isn’t to say, we aren’t supposed to be truthful, but we should examine our motivations for choosing to say the things we do (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:36; 1Pt 3:10, 16).  We should ask ourselves, is this what I would want said about me?  Better yet, is this what God would have me say (1 Pt 4:11)?