The Church should seek to do good in her relationships with all. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:15:
“See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.” (NET Bible)
What Paul is saying is that no one should take revenge. The natural reaction of people who are attacked or hurt is retaliation or revenge. We want to take justice into our own hands. But Paul says, “Look, ” let this not happen ever. The idea is that we’re alert that it doesn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen with any of them.
Paying evil for evil was forbidden by our Lord in Matthew 5:38-48. Read it slowly:
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not” for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” – (The Message)
He not only told us that we should not take revenge but must show love to those who hurt us. In this way we prove that we are children of God. This revenge has nothing necessarily to do with “big” things, they can be small. Revenge “small” or “big” is contrary to what the Lord taught us. Paul also taught this in Rom. 12:17-21
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. – (The Message)
We must not be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. Yes, it’s difficult, but this is what the Lord commands us, as a church, we must help ourselves not to be vengeful.
Paul also says that we must do good to all not only those of the church. This is what we should do. Instead of getting even, we must do good. The “good” here is what’s helps the other person. In other words, instead of getting revenge, we should do something good for those who hurt us. We must show acts of kindness “to one another” in the church “and to all.” Our lives must be distinguished by doing good to others.
You’ve probably heard the phrase: “practice arbitrary or random acts of kindness.” It looks good, but it’s not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches intentional acts of kindness to all. These acts often involve sacrifice, mercy, compassion, and kindness.
Application Questions:
How do you respond to those who offend you?
Are you paying wrong for wrong or evil for evil?
Are you showing kindness to everyone?
