Just a Thought: Building good character, a godly reputation and earning respect all have one thing in common; consistency. You don’t build good character by being one way in one situation and being another in another situation. As one person said, “Character is who you are when no one knows who you are.” A good reputation is also built the same way. Being the same person, all the time around everyone. And earning respect is no different. We cannot earn the respect we seek as a godly person by being up and down spiritually all the time. Consistency is the key in each of these areas and the reward is that we get what we are looking for; good character, a godly reputation and the respect of others. But there is more! We also get honor and glory and peace (just rewards) from our heavenly Father who is watching us (all the time). Paul reminds us, “but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Rom 2:10) Now we need not be confused. Paul is in no way indicating these rewards come to those who live and do well. Nor is he trying to imply salvation comes by doing good works. The entire letter of Romans disputes this fact. What Paul is saying is, that good character, godly reputations and respect come from the habitual activity of the one who has a right heart with God. These are not a matter of ethnicity, but rather of spirituality! It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile the same rules apply and the same truth applies. Character, reputations and respect are all indicators of the condition of one’s heart. There is no special treatment or partiality with God. We all stand on equal footing before Him. And we will all stand in Judgment by Him. All three, Character, godly reputation and respect require hard work and a right heart. And most importantly, building good character, a reputation and earning respect all have one thing in common; consistency. We cannot have this consistency if our heart is not right with God because our living, attitudes and actions all and always are a direct reflection of the condition of our hearts. Having said this, how are you trying to accomplish these things in your life? The Lord is not only watching. He is waiting for us to lean on Him for His help to build and establish these things from the inside out. And He faithfully rewards those who do. Lord, create in me a new heart. A clean heart. A heart for You alone. So, that in me You can build the kind of character, godly reputation and respect a child of God should have in representing You here on earth. The kind of heart and life You can reward. In Jesus name, amen.
