Character and Reputation

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 30.

Character and Reputation

CHARACTER and reputation are often used interchangeably. We say that a man has a good character when we mean a good reputation. They are widely different. Reputation is what people think of us; character is what we really are. The worldly heart prizes reputation; the Lord, and those who are his, prize character. Sometimes men who are of unblemished character have bad reputations, because they bear an unpopular message of reform; on the other hand, men of bad character so cloak their deeds that they bear in the world a good reputation. "A good name" is to be prized; but infinitely above this is a good character. That alone will avail us in the judgment; that alone is prized of God; and it can be built up only through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:11; Matt. 7:24-27.