…having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (I Peter 3:16 ESV)
Reputation
Who cares what others think?
Christians should.
But not for the reason you might think. Sometimes, it is pride that gives rise to worrying about reputation. Sometimes, it is insecurity that gives rise to worrying about reputation. Sometimes, we just say it is human nature for us to worry about reputation.
But Peter gives us the only good reason to be concerned about what others think of us.
A clear conscience strengthens our witness.
People mistrust politicians when past infractions are made public. People boycott actors when past misbehaviors are made public. People discount the achievements of heroes when past character flaws are made public.
And God’s enemies will shout with accusations and excitement when a Christian’s testimony is weakened by revealed wrongdoing.
It is not pride in self that motivates our life-choices, it is pride in Christ. It is not insecurity in self that motivates our life-choices, it is security in Christ. It is not human nature that motivates our life-choices, it is our transformed newness in Christ.
We will not be sinless. But we can do the right thing, and thereby cut off the enemies’ plots.
We will not be perfectly obedient. But we can clear our conscience through repentance and honesty, and thereby give the enemies no foothold against the gospel that comes from our mouths.
We will not be righteously righteous. But we can daily live with the word of God in our minds and hearts, and thereby let Christ’s light outshine darkness.
And Christ will take these offerings and make them be enough.