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Today's Quote
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Today's Verse
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Daily Wisdom
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Someone has said the gossip is the vice of Christians. Unfortunately, there is far too much truth in that statement. Although gossip is a sin (2 Corinthians 12:20), too often Christians engage in gossip. It seems to be especially tempting when the stories told are false and damaging. Gossipers always think that their information is reliable. The problem is in the real definition of reliable information. Reliable information is where the first person lied and the second person re-lied.
A few years ago the elders of a congregation decided to begin an outreach ministry in a local hotel. After the ministry got started, a host of stories began to circulate among the local Christians. It was said that those leading the program had split the sponsoring church. They were accused of introducing the instrument, having women preach, and all sorts of things that were not true.
Perhaps it was this tendency that prompted Jesus to say, "Blessed are the peacemakers." If someone is doing something unusual or different, wouldn't it be nice if those hearing about it said things like, "I'm just sure it is a good thing," or "I know someone in that group and I am certain they would do no wrong," or even, "I don't know what is going on, but I'll bet it is something wonderful."
Those who make peace are rare jewels that grace crowns of gold. They anticipate the best and respond negatively only when the evidence of wrong behavior is clear. While troublemakers enjoy sowing discord while well away from those they attack, peacemakers withhold negative judgments until face to face with irrefutable evidence to the contrary.
Jesus once approached the city of Jerusalem, and through his tears said, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!"
