Doing Good to Everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15.
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
Paul has dealt with interpersonal relationships and how to encourage each other. But there are those in the community who will in their selfishness do ill to others. How are Christians to deal with such?
Avoid Revenge. The way of the world is to give as much as one gets. But that is not the way of God. Vengeance only provokes a desire in the victim for more vengeance. Elsewhere, Paul says, Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19).
Accept Revolution. Doing good to everyone means doing well even to those who do evil to us. As crazy as this sounds, it is the winning formula against evil. Again Paul says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20). It may go against our feelings to do good to enemies but if our desire is to change them for the better, God’s way is the only way, and it works.
People feel justified when paid back evil for evil because by returning evil, the victim becomes evil. Doing good on the other hand is the judgment on the evildoer.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.