Acts 11:21-26

Acts 11:21-26 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. This was written almost 2,000 years ago! Barnabas had a good man with a great reputation and we are still reading about him! It is important to have people speak well about you. What you do each day is adding up. If you are rude every time someone sees you, that is your reputation. If you are smarty and unkind with people, that is your reputation. When someone hears your name spoken, what comes to their mind? Do they think of someone who loves God and is a good friend to everyone? Or do they think of a smart mouth who no one likes? Barnabas had a good reputation, and when someone was needed to teach the new gentile believers in Antioch, Barnabas knew just who to get: the new convert, Saul of Tarsus. Well, by now Saul had been saved for quite some time. But he had been out in the desert of Arabia where God was teaching him and preparing him for his ministry. And Barnabas knew Saul was ready to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And preach, Saul did! What kind of a reputation do you have? A good one like Barnabas? A good one like Saul? Or are you ashamed of your reputation? If you are, it isn’t too late. Get busy obeying God and you can start a good reputation. But remember, that takes time. But with God’s help, you can do it!