"For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." 1 Peter 2:15

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  When we talk about how to live, it is important that we live in relationships with other people. We need to live so no one can say anything about us that can’t be substantiated. We live uprightly and openly so people will know that gossip is not true.   

There were all types of rumors going around about Christians. The principle ever since the first century is to live in such a way that people know the truth. What are you going to do about gossip? There is nothing you can do except make your life such that people will not believe it and you have nothing to hide.           

Tertullian of ancient Rome remarked about the contrast between the Christians and the heathen. when the pagan deserted their relatives in the plague, Christians ministered to the sick. When Gentiles left their dead unburied on the battle fields, Christians took care of the wounded and dying.  The more people watched the good works of the Christians; there was more evidence that their character was blameless.   

My pastor friend told me there were some horrible lies being told about him in the church. One of the ladies told him that she heard some things and decided to find out if they were true or not. She ran down three different things and found them all to be false. The pastor said there was nothing he could do since no one claimed to start the rumor. They all heard it from someone who heard it from someone else. He said, “I can only live proudly knowing that I serve God and He knows the truth and live in such a way that people will not believe them.” 

Some left the church. The pastor continued for a long while after that with a fruitful ministry. You can't change some people opinions, but you can make things right with God and live in such a manner as God knows and there is nothing to hide.           

Mother Teresa is quoted to have said, "The church wants renewal. Renewal does not mean changing a habit and a few prayers. Renewal is faithfulness to the spirit of the constitution, a spirit which seeks holiness by means of a poor and humble life, the exercise of sincere and patient charity, spontaneous sacrifice and generosity of heart, and which finds its expression in purity and candor."  

I suppose Mother Teresa has done more to change attitudes about Christians in a Hindu land than most evangelists because of her good works in the name of Christ that became known worldwide.

Application:  Pray for a spirit of faithfulness.

Prayer:  Lord, give me a heart to seek holiness and exercise sincere and patient generosity of heart.