Good Neighbors

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

- Coach John Wooden

This past Sunday, retired NFL linebacker Sam Acho reminded us that what we do is not who we are.  Who we are, our identity, cannot be found or fabricated, but emerges from within, and once it develops, it then becomes how people define us.

King Solomon writes in Proverbs 22:1,

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth.

There was a time in the early church when twelve disciples realized the work before them was bigger than what they could accomplish on their own.  There were widows to care for, the poor and hungry to feed, and the sick and infirm in need of healing and hope.  The disciples needed help.

As they prayed and sought those who could assist them, their criteria for service was clear.  In Acts 6:3 we read,

Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

First and foremost, they were to be men of good reputation.  The last thing the disciples needed were men to represent them who would hurt the reputation of the church.  It was critical that these be men who would carry forward the good name of God’s church.

Sam reminded us this past Sunday of our role as a “Good Neighbor Church.”  We have built a reputation in our community, and now it is up to each one of us to continue to build on that reputation, to be men and women who not only do our part to enhance that reputation corporately, but also individually.

We have the privilege and responsibility to live in such a way that the reputation of Jesus and His church are held high.  We can only accomplish this by being men and women of godly character.

As Wayne Dyer put it,

“Your reputation is in the hands of others.  That’s what the reputation is.  You can’t control that.  The only thing you can control is your character.”

Our everyday choices determine our reputation.  Who we are on the inside will ultimately determine what others see on the outside.

May we continue to be Good Neighbors, reflecting the character of Christ Jesus.  When we do this, our reputation will take care of itself.

Pastor Ken

‍