What is of Good REpute?

He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem…
Daniel 10:11
 
Paul challenges us in Philippians 4 to dwell on whatever is of good repute.  Good repute means having a solid reputation.  We want to spend our time dwelling on and aligning ourselves with those who have a solid reputation, those who are spoken well of and speak well.  We know today that our reputation is impacted not just by our actions but also by our words.  So, being of good repute has a lot to do with what we say and how we say it.  If we can find a way to live with good repute we will live in greater victory and with greater influence.

Daniel was a man who lived in such a way.  He was actually a Jew who was being held in captivity to the Babylonians.  But, because he was of such good repute he made his way to the top and was almost put in charge of the entire kingdom.  Talk about great influence and great victory, even in a land that was not his own! 

Daniel was able to accomplish this without compromising his relationship with God.  That is the first step to living in good repute, to not waiver in our faith.  He made a decision to not allow anything or anyone to defile him and the way he went about making that decision earned him a tremendous amount of respect.  We can remain faithful to God, even in defiance of the rest, and still maintain our respect.

​Daniel did it by showing respect.  He spoke respectfully.  He lived respectfully.  He even showed compassion for those who had taken his people into captivity.  Daniel was an authentic follower of God, which is ultimately led to his great reputation.  If we want to have great reputations today and be people of great influence then we first have to make a decision – are we fully surrendered to God?  Are we willing to live for Him no matter what the rest are doing?  That is where good repute begins.
             
Pastor Matt