Wednesday June 6

John Wesley, in his instructions to all those desirous of salvation, explained that the evidence of their sincerity was "First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced . . ." (Book of Discipline 2000, ¶103, p. 73)

Even before listing good things to do, Wesley began by listing harmful things to avoid doing. There is a powerful lesson for all Christians in this instruction.

”What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless? “  So what does Jesus words mean for us, What are some the "evil" actions "most generally practiced"?

Refuse to Gossip

Avoid Unfair Criticism

Rely on Fact Rather Than Rumour

Be Respectful

Deal Openly and Honestly With Disagreement

Ultimately, the work of "doing good" and “helping people” is about modeling a way of being Christian in the world.

We wish our world to be a better place — a kinder, gentler world where decency, kindness, and consideration are the norm. Building such a reality is not simply about doing good things, but also about refraining from those things that harm, that reduce, that destroy.

·        Nothing is lost to us when we refrain from gossip.

·        We are not made better by putting other people down.

·        We are not made stronger when we react to rumor as if it were true.

·        Being disrespectful doesn't make us superior to anyone.

·        And hiding our true feelings and allowing resentment to build cannot help but hurt us as well as others.

The less we engage in activities with the potential to do harm, the more we will be freed to engage in activities that build up. As followers of Christ we are to point the way to a better way of living, of sharing, and of being the body of Christ.

”What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?