November 2, 2020 -- John 12:50 -- Carrying the Name and Reputation

And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.

John 12:50 English Standard Version

The Fall weather is significantly colder now and I am back to wearing a winter coat, well, minus the warm inner lining which can be zipped in or taken out. The winter coat has the name of the car company I used to work for emblazoned on it: “Enterprise”. When I was hired I was told I must follow company policy. I am required to follow traffic laws. It was emphasized—”You are wearing the company hat and shirt and coat—wherever you are, you represent the company, act in such a way that you do not discredit the company". If a car company desires its employees to act in such a way as not to discredit its name and reputation, how much more, infinitely more, ought you, as a Christian to strive to bring honour and credit to the Name of the Father in heaven?!

Jesus did so perfectly. He perfectly obeyed the Father—from the moment His life began until His dying Jesus was without any imperfections in His obedience. He declared the wonder and the blessing, the joy and the adventurous enthusiasm for total dedication to the Father in heaven.

You will fail. You will strive and try and fall. But eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ and believing His perfect life is credited to you even as His punishment at the cross cleared your account of any punishment owing. You are completely set free. This is why knowing and living out the commandment of the Father is eternal life—you do not earn this, you show by your life you are bought by the blood of Jesus Christ and set free for delighted obedience, thankful obedience for all that is now yours.

Therefore shout out this Good News to any and all you meet. New life has taken hold of you in Christ. The Spirit of God has lifted you up from death to life according to the glory of Christ decreed to be yours by the Father in heaven. Live up to the Name and the Reputation of God the Blessed: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you stumble and mess up, declare all over again—how great is the LOVE of God the Compassionate, that this sin too is fully covered and you are freed to leave it and walk in newness of life.

O LORD, You are the Good Shepherd! Jesus You have restored our souls. Spirit of the Living God, lead us, forgiven and freed, into the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Triune God, You have prepared a table before us in the presence of our enemies, You have anointed us with oil; our cups filled with Your blessings overflow! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever! Amen.