1 Thess 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Commentary:
When we read the first sentence, it seems that it is saying that someone from the top needs to make sure that nobody within the church pays back wrong for wrong. Paying someone wrong for wrong only increases wrong until someone is seriously hurt. I was listening to research someone did about Bathsheba and it seems that her grandfather Ahithophel was working with Absalom to dethrone David. He wanted David to pay for what he did to her granddaughter Bathsheba. When marriages get into the state of wanting to pay evil for evil there is little anyone can do about it. If both parties are willing to work on things there is a chance of things getting better with God’s healing, but that is basically it.
Prayer: May I continue to do good for those who were around me, including those who have given me a hard time oh Lord Jesus. Amen
Commentary:
Here are few cross-reference verses for our verse 15 above:
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...
Reflection: I have to do as much as I can to have peaceful relationship with everyone around me.
Matthew 5:38-48 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; / if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; …
Commentary:
In some ways I do not understand what this sentence is saying - that we should not resist an evil person. God resisted Satan and hurled him from heaven.
Should we not resist because we really do not know who is evil and who is not?
Isn’t the Lord saying that by the fruits we shall know whether someone is evil or not?
1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Commentary:
I do believe that we need to do all that we can to win our brother or sister back when they stray away. We need to show goodness and kindness even to our enemies even when they are harsh to us.
Luke 6:27-36 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. / If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. ... (Yes)
Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. …
Commentary:
Yes, I agree that love of God in us will never prompt us to take pleasure in evil.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. (Amen)
Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Commentary:
These are such beautiful verses that summarize what a Christian person looks like. This is an ideal for me to strive for as the Holy Spirit leads me.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Commentary:
Love towards each other brings unity and not just us praying for unity.
1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
James 1:19-20 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Genesis 50:15-21 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. …
Reflection:
Holding a grudge will only harm us. Joseph most likely knew that and he did all that he could to forgive and make peace with his brothers who wanted to kill him. He not only forgave them, but restored his relationship with them and even blessed them by providing what they needed to live well.
Prayer: Whenever we see the spirit of repentance, we need to see how to make amends and have even better relationships than we had before our relationships got out of kilt. May you guide us in these endeavours dear Holy Spirit, for I pray in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen
Peter Caran
Pastor of Cobourg and Harmony Churches