Credibility

[Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that . . . they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. — 1 Peter 2:12

The recent global financial crisis caused people to pay closer attention to their credit report. When credit was easy to get, some people became careless about how they used it. They didn’t bother to save for what they wanted: they just borrowed. Being in debt was no big deal. But in a crisis, that is no longer the case. Having good credit is suddenly very important.

After an advertisement for a credit repair service, a local newscaster said, “Credit repair isn’t something you can buy; it’s something you have to work for.”

The same principle applies to the credibility of our lives. We can’t buy it; it’s something we have to work for. We may be able to “borrow” credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need our own.

Credibility has to do with the ability to elicit belief. The reason it’s essential for Christians is that our lives affect God’s reputation (1 Peter 2:12). When we call ourselves by Christ’s name, His reputation is tied to ours. If people have reason not to believe us, they may not believe God.

The way to earn credibility is to live honorably. Then others will believe and glorify God. — Julie Ackerman Link

For Further Study

Look at these Scriptures about Christ’s life:

Matthew 9:10-13; 20:28; Luke 6:12.

How can you live the way He did?

READ: 1 Peter 2:11-21

If we take care of our character, our  reputation will take care of itself.

The Bible in one year:

• Genesis 31-32

• Matthew 9:18-38