Reputation

Discussions about religion are sometimes seen as taboo in our culture today. Many Christians feel unprepared or unqualified to talk about Jesus. Some feel like they don’t know enough. Others are afraid that they don’t live a good enough life to share about Jesus. For many Christians, the idea of sharing about Christ is uncomfortable. But what if God’s love for others became so real in your heart that it overcame the awkwardness or discomfort? What if God’s love compelled you to share about Jesus? 

In 2 Corinthians 5:14, the apostle Paul tells us this is exactly what happened to him. The love of Christ compelled him to share. Imagine you were a doctor and you stumbled upon the cure for cancer. Hospitals and drug companies might lose a lot of money if there were no cancer patients. But would you keep your discovery private? I doubt that any of us would. 

The truth of God’s grace is far more valuable than any cure for a physical disease. Jesus promises perfect forgiveness and eternal life to all who place faith in him. If true Christian maturity is the growth of love in the believer’s life, it is impossible to mature without genuinely loving others. And it’s impossible to truly love others without sharing the good news of God’s grace. 

Sharing about Jesus shouldn’t feel forced or based on obligation. It should feel like a holy urgency—a passion from God to see his life manifest in someone else. 

Habit 2, share your faith every week, aims at cultivating the habit of stepping out and sharing. It teaches our hearts to love others with God’s love and care enough to leave our comfort zones and talk about Christ. As we do this, our love for God and others will supernaturally grow! 

Have you ever shared your faith in Jesus with someone and it seemed to make a positive impact? What did you say? How did it go? Have you ever shared about faith in Jesus and the person was offended or shut you down? What was that like? 

Reputation is important to most people, and it should be. We all want to be accepted and valued by the people around us. Being an honorable person brings glory to God. But often, we value the acceptance of others more than the salvation of their souls. Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus made himself of no reputation to save us. In other words, he cared more about loving us and saving us than he cared about people liking him. 

In your life, whose acceptance do you value most? Whose approval do you crave? 

Read Galatians 1:10 together. Notice how Paul tells us we can’t serve Christ and value the approval of men more than God. Has this tension been a struggle for you? Can you think of a time when you were hesitant to share about Christ because you wanted someone’s approval? 

Who in your life would be the most challenging person to talk to about Jesus? Make a commitment in the next month to look for opportunities to share with that person about the difference Christ has made in your life.