Let's all work to be the best we can be

With the new year upon us and folks making resolutions, you know, trying to do better or better ourselves, I read an article in the Daily Bread devotional titled "Genuine Love," bringing to mind what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:29-30.

Paul was speaking about "whisperer" and "backbiters" (King James version), listing them among the proud, murderers, inventors of evil, God-haters and the like.

It got me thinking how hurtful it is to be "whispered" about and stabbed in the back, so to speak, especially from those who call themselves fiend or family. By the way, according to Webster's dictionary, a whisperer is someone who spreads rumors, a gossip. A backbiter is someone who takes spitefully or says mean things about a person not present. Unfortunately, some Christians are guilty of these sins (seems to be a part of human nature). Now, they wouldn't willingly run down a person with their car, but they willingly run that person down with their words, belittling them.

Perhaps as a New Year's resolution, we need to take a look at ourselves and pay attention to what we say. Take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:9, "Let love be without hypocrisy." In other words, don't pretend to love, don't fake it. After all, Christ didn't fake love when he died on the cross to take our sins upon himself.

Well, here's looking forward to doing better in this new year.

LULA OSBORNE

Sandpoint