Some people feel that the reputation of the entire university at Penn State has taken a huge hit because of the sex scandal that has recently unfolded. Several individuals have been charged with wrong-doing. Some would say that the sins of a few have given the whole university a black eye.

Others, however, disagree. Amy Fietlson, a 19-year-old sophomore at Penn State says, “I don’t think that our name is tarnished at all. The integrity of a few individuals who have been involved with this school is definitely tarnished, but for the rest of us that had no way of preventing it or had no involvement in it, we are not tarnished at all. Our integrity remains.”

In Revelation 3, Jesus sent a message for the church at Sardis. He chastised some of them and told them that they needed to repent and to spiritually “Wake up!” (v.2.). However, he goes on to say, “Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (vv.4-5).

Some people who claim to follow Jesus behave in a devilish manner. Their sins do not stain the reputation of those who are living godly lives. The church, the sparkling bride of Christ, remains untarnished.