p. 44 | Reputation by R. F. COTTRELL

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 1, 1867

Reputation.

By R. F. COTTRELL

The object of the ambition of a great number is a high reputation among men. But this is not the ambition of the Christian. His highest aspiration is to please God, and enjoy his approbation. Christ is the pattern of his people; the example which we are taught by apostles to imitate. And it is said of him that “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” Phil. ii, 7. The follower of Christ then cannot seek the applause of men; if this be the object at which he aims—if he seeks to please men, he is no longer the servant of Christ. Gal. i, 10. Said Jesus to the Jews, “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?”

The Christian should, however, “have a good report of them which are without.” 1 Tim. iii, 7. This is not his privilege merely, but his imperative duty. He “must have a good report.” This good report he does not obtain by seeking to please men, but by seeking to please God by obedience to his law. We can, by the favor of God, compel a good report from our neighbors. If we live up to the requirements of the law of God, they can have no evil thing to say of us. We may be slandered by false reports. This may affect our reputation with those not personally acquainted with us; but those with whom we daily associate, though they may despise us on account of our religion, will be constrained to say, They are honest people; their word can be depended upon, and you can trust them in any place.

But the friendship of the world is enmity against God. And he who seeks the applause of men, will fail to please God and to be honored of him. If he succeeds in gaining the applause he seeks, he has his reward; but he who obtains honor from God will find his reward in the world to come.

Let us be content, brethren, to follow Him who made himself of no reputation among men, but was despised and rejected. If we are misjudged by the world, or even by our brethren, the time is coming when all things will appear in their true light. “Before honor is humility;” or, in the words of our Saviour, “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Jesus, the Son of God, he who knew no sin, humbled himself, and was despised. Shall we, so unworthy and so sinful, refuse to drink of the cup? He laid aside his untarnished glory for our good. Shall we refuse to be humbled on account of our sins? It is all for our good—the humiliation of Christ in our behalf and as our example, and our own humiliation to prepare us for glory. Nothing is against us, but all things work together for our good.

If we are esteemed lightly, it is all right; it is as good as we deserve. And if we are so happy as to secure the favor of God, the loss of all things on earth will be our incalculable gain. He who was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. And shall we, who are poor indeed, be unwilling to acknowledge our poverty, and accept of the riches so freely offered us? Shall we, who have nothing to lose, stand upon our dignity and demand the esteem of our fellows? Let us rather humble ourselves, count earthly reputation as nothing, and humbly hope for a portion with the redeemed in glory. Could we see ourselves in the true light, humility, and not pride, would fill our hearts. Shame and confusion of face better becomes us than our pride. But glory and honor are in reserve for those that bear the cross. The poor in spirit shall yet be rich; and those of “no reputation” here, shall be “highly esteemed” in the kingdom of God.

R. F. COTTRELL.