November 6, 2021 8:00 pm
“Son, I don’t have much to give you. But I do have a good name, so don’t mess it up.” Those wise, weighty words were uttered by Johnnie Bettis as his son Jerome left home for college. Jerome quoted his father in his Professional American Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech. These sage words that Jerome has carried with him throughout his life have been so influential that he closed his riveting speech with similar words to his own son. “Son, there’s not much that I can give you that’s more important than our good name.”
A good name is vital for believers in Jesus. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:12–17 remind us about who it is that we represent (v. 17). Character is like clothing that we wear, and this passage puts the “Jesus label” of clothing on display: “As God’s chosen people . . . clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another. . . . And over all these virtues put on love” (vv. 12–14). These are not just our “Sunday clothes”—we’re to wear them everywhere, all the time as God works in us to reflect Him. When our lives are characterized by these qualities, we demonstrate that we “have His name.” May we prayerfully and carefully represent Him as He provides what we need.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. I'm Arthur Jackson, and I title today's reading, The Jesus Label. Jerome quoted his father in his American Professional Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
These sage words that Jerome has carried with him throughout his life have been so influential that he closed his riveting speech with similar words to his own son. Son, there's not much that I can give you that's more important than our good name. A good name is vital for believers in Jesus. Paul's words in Colossians 3, 12 to 17 remind us who it is that we represent. Character is like the clothing that we wear, and this passage puts The Jesus Label of clothing on display. And over all these virtues put on love. These aren't just our Sunday clothes.
We're to wear them everywhere all the time as God works in us to reflect Him. When our lives are characterized by these qualities, we demonstrate that we have His name. May we prayerfully and carefully represent Him as He provides what we need. Join me now as I read today's scripture reading from Colossians chapter 3 verses 12 to 17.
Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are called to peace and be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Shall we pray? Father, forgive us when we do not represent Jesus well. Give us strength and courage to be better dressed for your glory in Christ's name's sake. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-07-26 15:17:18 / 2023-07-26 15:18:35 / 1
