Reputation
and Character
Character is what we are. It is the sum total of qualities which
distinguish one person from another. Reputation is what is said about
us—that which others think we are. Character and reputation are
sometimes the same; perhaps more often they are different. Others
determine our reputation. We determine our character. One's reputation
may change with the alteration of private or public approbation of
disapproval while one's character may remain constant or vary
irrespective of the judgments of others. Before God we should strive to
make our reputation and character the same. God knows what we think,
feel, and do—what we are. We know better than any other mortal our
thoughts, emotions, and actions "for what man knoweth the things of a
man, save the spirit of man which is in him"
(1 Cor. 2:11).
Reputation and Consistency
Men
with the loftiest thoughts, deepest emotions, and noblest deeds—men of
jeweled character—sometimes have their motives questioned, their deeds
maligned, and their reputation ruined when conscience demands they state
their convictions on issues over which there is a divergence of
understanding or teaching. Friendship is often broken and he who was
once an ardent supporter becomes a bitter antagonist because of a
revised view or a changed position. This loss of reputation may be
because former friends cannot conscientiously accept the newly espoused
position or it may be that they will not accept it because of the
embarrassing situation in which they are left. There may be room for the
former; there is nothing but stubbornness and sin in the latter.
In
either event the character of the man who shifts has not been injured
provided his change is right and prompted by convictions rather than
convenience. God knows the heart and the deed. Why, therefore, should
one be concerned or fear what others shall say or do?
Character and Condemnation
No
Christian will assume an arrogant attitude in any matter or will he
knowingly compromise the truth. No man with real self respect will think
of himself and his views on every matter as the end of all wisdom, or
will he salve his conscience by winking at known evil or obvious
departures from the faith. With prayerful attention and interest he will
examine every matter as he can and with charitable frankness express his
views. More than this no rational and fair person will demand; less than
this would be hypocrisy. A faulty conclusion on a particular point does
not necessarily destroy a position and a mistake in human thinking does
not brand the thinker wholly evil. Yet it is easy for us to "cast the
first stone" of condemnation without knowing the principles or premises
leading to certain conclusions and at the same time be guilty of
grievous error either by withholding comment or pertinent points or
giving encouragement to enemies of the truth because of personal dislike
for a brother engaged in verbal combat. Such a disposition is not only
unchristian, it is cowardly and smells of rotten religious politics.
It
comes with poor grace and poorer taste for any man to hold back his
influence when vital issues are being discussed and to sit on the
sidelines and hurl stones at those engaged in battle. It is even more a
mark of cowardice and true littleness for such an one to snipe at those
who are carrying the fight which he should be carrying. More especially,
is the latter true if the consideration is born of policy rather than
principle. Snipers and personal reputation assassins are twin brothers
born of the same mother whose family name is usually "Envy". Neither is
commendable. Both are sons of the devil. Honorable men will not stoop to
such tactics.
Principle or Policy
Consistency with company is one thing. Consistency with conscience is
another. Consistency for popularity's sake is puerile and hypocritical.
Consistency for convictions sake is manly and pure. Consistency of
policy for personal and policy's sake will in the end be fatal.
Consistency for principle's sake will be life eternal. Concern over
consistency for what one has said or written previously, if revised
reason in view of rethinking revelation demands a change, is nothing but
the spirit of pride and the fear of exposure.
Character and Truth
It is
one thing to be unstable. It is another thing to "prove all things and
"hold fast that which is good"
(I Thes. 5:21).
It is one thing to be double-minded and wavering; it is something else
to "examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith"
(2 Cor: 13:5).
As one
reviews many of the great leaders of yesteryears he cannot but be
impressed by the vigor with which they espoused one point of view at the
time in their lives only to find the same Pauline zeal opposing the
former view at a later period. Were these men either weak or
hypocritical? The answer is best seen in the persecution they suffered
at the hands of their brethren after their change. Hypocrites will not
suffer vituperous vindictives relentlessly, but conviction will. He who
will not revise his views and practice in the light of new learning is a
hypocrite. He who makes his practice consistent with his conscientious
convictions is a man. Both his views and his practice may be wrong, but
such a person is no doubt nearer the kingdom than he who for pride's
sake stultifies his conscience though he retain his influence. If
changing views or position be a mark of instability, be it said that
some of the strongest arguments ever made against the errors of
digression are those announced and successfully defended by men who at
one time in their religious history were outspoken advocates of
digressive tendencies. None of us has heard of these arguments being
thrown away because of their origin.
One of
the fundamental reasons why the Restoration Movement commended itself to
the sober thinkers of the times and progressed as it did was the
disposition of its leaders to surrender former views in the light of
newly found truths. Once they were convinced of error they gladly gave
it up and espoused the truth learned. True enough they had their verbal
battles but many of the fundamental principles upon which the church
stood in apostolic days and at the present came to be taught and
practiced by the Restorers as these principles were forged into
unmistakable clarity in the fires of controversy. Disciples today have
gone too far too fast if either they surrender these eternal principles
found or forsake the attitude of mind and heart which characterized the
search for them.
December
1951 - Preceptor
Other
Articles
What Saith the Authorities?
Worthy of Worship
The Devil's Best Weapons
The Role of the Mother in the Home