Volume 7, No. 3
Return to volume listYour Testimony Is Your Name
by Bryan Braswell
“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot” (Proverbs 10:7). In relation to things that are lasting or eternal, what the common man will do throughout his life, those things done based upon the eternal standard of Truth or this temporary place called the world, his name will ever be associated with the things he has done in his flesh. The life lived, then, will be remembered by the things done in this body—this will be his eulogy in the end. Therefore, what a man may do is certainly his testimony in life. What is your name going to reveal, today, tomorrow, and ye, even into eternity?
A GOOD NAME VERSES A BAD: To fear God is the first step in having a good name (Proverbs 1:7a). Because based upon that fear, one will begin and continue to gain knowledge that guides by wisdom and instruction (1:7b). That knowledge according to Proverbs provides not only mere facts, but also guidance and wisdom. The foolish man will despise this and he is associated with the sinner in Proverbs 1:10. The sinner has a name that is left behind and remembered as despising wisdom and instruction, enticing to sin, laying in wait for blood, lurking privily for the innocent without cause, ready to swallow up as the grave, hoping to fill their houses with spoil, and desiring to find recruits to cast their lot all into one purse (Proverbs 1:10-15). There is no individuality with the sinner and his name is associated with the commonalities of the masses of mankind. His name shall perish with the worldly and the material sinner into eternity. However, the memory of the just will be a blessing to remember.
A GOOD NAME IS NOT GREEDY OF GAIN: Your testimony will be remembered by the kind of life you lived in regards to money. Proverbs 1:19 states this in regard to the sinner: “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” Paul warned Timothy in I Timothy 6:10 that “…the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Those that love money are greedy, and this is apparent. I suppose some believe their deeds are not noticed, but in reality the fruit of man is not without notice. Can a man, greedy of gain, not be noticed? Can a man that loved money and thus allowed himself to be seduced by its spoil not be noticed? He would have to hide all the spoil and never spend a dime of it, but surely that would be impossible. Can a man serve God and mammon at the same time? Jesus said no. Therefore, the fruit of man is noticed and his insatiability for godliness or worldliness is noticed. In this, his name will be remembered. What do people think about when they look at you, your money or your godly name?
A GOOD NAME IS NOT BLIND OR BIASED: “Wisdom crieth without: she uttereth her voice In the streets: She crieth in the chief places of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, how long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:20-22). There is a difference in worldly wisdom and godly wisdom (c.f., I Corinthians 1:17ff; James 3). The wisdom of the world will perish (3:14). The wisdom of the Father is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (3:17). This kind of wisdom is not divisive but that which makes for peace, because it is sown in peace of them that make peace; and, hence, it is called the fruit of righteousness (3:18). This blessed fruit will give one a good name. This person was not blind to the wisdom of God gained by having ears and eyes open wide, to see and hear; and thus standing to be reproved at every thing said by God’s Word (Proverbs 1:23). Therefore a good name is not blind nor biased because the knowledge of God taught him to be fair and just toward all mankind. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). So, the godly good man will not be either. Jesus said some were blind and led others into the ditch (Matthew 23:17, 19, 24, 26 et al). These folks were biased and hypocritical. Read Matthew 23. Further, the Lord stated: “But wisdom is justified of all her children” (Luke 7:35). A good name is not biased or blind. It will be remembered and justified because of such.
A GOOD NAME IS FAR BETTER THAN MONEY: Solomon penned twice that a good name was more profitable than anything in the world. In Ecclesiastes 7:1 he stated this: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.” Further in Proverbs 22:1, he said, “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” At death, a good name will be invaluable. A good name is far weightier than all the riches of the world. Therefore, our names mean everything in this world and even into eternity. What will your name be remembered for? The greatest name any man will ever name is that of Christ—a Christian. This name implies so much, but it also demands so much. What will your name be remembered for when you die?