THE REPUTATION OF GOD
Ezekiel 36:16-23
Back in my high school days, booing at sporting events was strictly forbidden because the principal believed it would tarnish our reputation. Failure to adhere to this standard was dealt with quickly and severely. What a difference today---fans scream at opponents, cursing at them, even throwing thing onto the field or court. There is little thought given to one’s reputation.
But the great and final issue of redemption is to be the reputation of God. That’s the goal of all spiritual achievements. That’s the glorious climax of all things. God will have a universal and glorious and everlasting reputation!
Here in Ezekiel, the term “name” speaks of God’s reputation. We often say, “That man has a great name.” What we really mean is that his character results in a far-reaching reputation. O we might hear it said that someone’s name has been dragged through the mud---tarnished, or soiled.
Webster says that a reputation is “an estimation, favorably or unfavorably, in which a person or thing is held.” Think of some names with me. What do they conjure up in your mind?
- Hitler: evil
- Einstein: genius
- Moses: deliverer
- Michaelangelo: art
- Rockefeller: money
- Mother Teresa: compassion
- Edison: inventions
Where does God derive His reputation from?
- His creation
- His mighty acts on behalf of mankind
- His Word
- His spokesmen
- His people
- His enemies
We find God’s reputation described by the term “name” in many places in the Bible. One impressive instance occurs in the record of Joshua. When Israel was defeated by the men of Ai, Joshua pleaded with the Lord. He said, “O Lord, what am I to do now that Israel has fled from her enemies? For when the Canannites and the nations hear about it, they will wipe us out. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name? (Joshua 7:8,9, LB).
Joshua dreaded that God’s reputation might be ruined. And so should we!
Let’s consider some features of God’s reputation.
1. GOD MUST HAVE A NAME
It’s an absolute necessity, for His own sake, for His people’s sake, and for the world’s sake.
We hear much these days about the rights of the individual. What about God’s rights? Is He not entitled to a name, a reputation? He is declared to be the Creator of all that is. He is the Author of Life. He is perfect in all His ways. His love knows no limits. He is the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Surely He is deserving of a reputation that is above all reputations.
God is not impassive. He has feelings. He has personal desires. And He desires a reputation widespread and splendid. But He doesn’t desire it for His own sake alone. He desires it for His people’s sake. One of the greatest blessings is to know what the character of God is like. We need to study the attributes of God. We need to become more and more familiar with His desires and goals so that we might understand His will for our lives.
It’s also necessary that God have a reputation for the world’s sake. Man, considered as separated from God by sin, needs to know His redeeming name. Give God a name! The world needs to hear of His reputation as the Lover of our souls!
2. GOD’S DELIVERANCES GIVE HIM A NAME
- He delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage
- He delivered Daniel from the lion’s jaws
- He delivered Jonah from a sea monster
- He delivers sinners from condemnation
- He delivers us from fear, evil habits and Satan’s control
- He delivers us from sorrow and depression and a feeling of worthlessness
Again and again He has done it! Spread His fame abroad. Proclaim it everywhere. He deserves it. We owe it to Him.
3. THE CHARACTERSITICS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
GIVE HIM A NAME
It can be truthfully said that we, as believers help shape the reputation of God in the minds of others by the way we live. God’s reputation as an “Enabler” is enhanced or tarnished, depending on how well we manifest the fruits of the Spirit. Men always think more highly of God when they see the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and self-control in His people. Our lives are the only theology most people will read. We should make it our aim to give the world an adequate and lovely impression of God.
A pious church member, who thought himself to be a great Christian, visited the junior department of the Sunday school. The Superintendent asked him to say a few word to the boys and girls. He stood pompously before them and asked, “Why do you think people call me a Christian?” There was an embarrassing silence. Then a small voice from the back of the room said, “Because they don’t know you.”
The story is told of a soldier in the army of Alexander the Great, who was brought before the great world-conqueror for court martial. When the emperor had listened to the charges and the evidence, he turned to the soldier facing condemnation and said, “What is your name?” “Alexander!” was the reply. Again the emperor questioned, “What is your name?” And the second time the soldier answer4ed, “Alexander.” With a cry of rage, the emperor roared, “I say, what is your name?” And when the soldier answered for the third time as he had before, the great general angrily replied, “You say your name is Alexander? You are found guilty of your crime as charged and now you must pay the penalty. Either change your conduct or change your name, for no man can bear the name of Alexander, my name, and do the things that you have done.”
Surely Paul must have had this in mid when he wrote to the Philippian believers, “That you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (2:15).
4. TRANSFORMATIONS GIVE GOD A NAME
The crowning work of God is the transformation of a soul—from a sinner to a saint—from self-centeredness to God and others-centeredness—from darkness to light—from wickedness to righteousness—from fear to faith—from bondage to freedom.
And who else could do it but God? Nothing gives God greater fame in all the world than a regenerated individual! Men may argue theology and doctrine but not a changed life. When the Lord wanted to make an impression on this old world that men or devils, time or eternity could not erase, he met Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road and pulled him off of his little donkey and put him to praying. Three days later he shook the scales from off his eyes, charged him with compound lightning, would him up and put him to running. The Lord seemed to take him in his own hand, dip him in the blood of Christ and write across the face of the earth: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
True transformation leads to a life of service, sacrifice, and praise. These qualities will not go unnoticed by the unbelieving world. They will serve to remind them of the nature of God.
The apostles and other 1st century Christians lived such consecrated lives that people from all walks of life sat up and took notice. Many of them were drawn to Christ because they were amazed and astounded when they asked themselves, “What kind of a God must this Jesus Christ be that He could command such loyalty, such sacrifice, such service?”
5. PRAISE GIVES GOD A NAME
This involves not only gratitude, but also speaking up whenever God’s name is blasphemed or brought into question. We must not be ashamed to testify as to His greatness and grandeur.
Praise speaks of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and unchanging devotion to His children. We especially enhance the reputation of God when we praise God during severe trials and suffering. His grace and strength are testimonies to His enduring love.
A body is not crippled ’til its heart has ceased to praise. Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, "Are you sure I will never sing again?" The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He simply shook his head no. The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. "I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God," he said. "And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God." There in the doctor’s presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts’ hymn, "I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,/ And when my voice is lost in death,/ Praise shall employ my nobler power;/ My days of praise shall ne’er be past,/ While life, and thought, and being last,/ Or immortality endures."
Our Daily Bread.
Just think how being concerned with the reputation of God could change our lives. There’s no greater or more noble ambition, than to give God a glorious, majestic name.
