Prodigal: That bread has had a good reputation.

Me: A tasty reputation!

This is from Charles Spurgeon

Do I address any servant of God here who is afraid of losing his reputation? This is not a reason which will stand examination. My brother, that is a fear which does not trouble me. I have lost my reputation several times, and I would not go across the street to pick it up. It is often seemed to me to be a thing that I should like to lose, that I might no longer be pressed with this huge throng, but might preach to two or three hundred people in a country village, and look after their souls, and stand clear at last to God about each one of them; whereas, here I am tied to a work I cannot accomplish–pastor to more than five thousand people! A sheer impossibility! How can I watch over all your souls? I should have an easy conscience if I had a church of moderate size, which I could efficiently look after. If a reputation gets one into the position I now occupy, it certainly is not a blessing to be coveted. But if you have to do anything for Christ which will lose you the respect of good people, and yet you feel bound to do it, never give two thoughts to your reputation; for, if you do, it is already gone into that secret place where you should most of all cherish it. The highest reputation in the world is to be faithful–faithful to your God and your own conscience. As to the approbation of the unconverted multitude, or of wordly professors, do not care the turn of a button for it; it may be deadly heritage. Many a man is more a slave to his admirers than he dreams of: the love of approbation is more a bondage than an inner dungeon would be. If you have done the right thing before God, and are not afraid of His great Judgment Seat, fear nothing, go forward.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. Luke 7:3 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org