To live by faith, you must die to your reputation.
When you care about how others perceive you, IF comes to kill your faith.
What will they think of me IF it doesn't happen?
Will they call me a fraud? Will they question my relationship with God? Will I damage God's reputation?
And the questions spin out of control until you give up on faith because it doesn't seem worth the risk.
But to live by faith, you must risk everything.
Jesus said that your life here on earth must die in order to live the abundant life He provides. But if you try to hold on to your life, including your reputation, you will forfeit what Jesus died to give you.
Faith doesn't care about your reputation because in Christ, you don't have one anymore. You have no reputation to maintain because it died.
And to think that we can damage the reputation of Christ is the epitome of pride. How does someone dethrone the King of kings? It will never happen.
We all make mistakes in this walk with Him, and He has already made provision for every single one.
So relax, forget about your reputation, and believe God. He has amazing things in store for those who live by faith.
