“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone” (1 Thess. 5:15, NKJV)
We live in politically contentious times. Demonization of the “other” party has cast civil discourse to the wayside. There no longer seems any room for nuanced discussion. A party label tells us all we need to hear. It would be one thing for this animosity to exist outside the church but it thrives within to create division and devotion to another kingdom.
Yet we as Christ’s disciples are to march to the beat of a different drum.
Paul has just urged the Thessalonians not to run roughshod over others. He calls for warmth and winsomeness with those who are struggling. “Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14).
Now he goes on to call for a decorum of discipleship in keeping with their allegiance to the kingdom of their Lord Jesus Christ. He begins on a serious note: “See that.” In other words, they are to pay close attention to themselves and to others. The apostle’s admonition reminds us that we are to be aware, engaged, and on guard against destructive influences and practices that can creep in and cause damage.
In this case, Paul says that we must be careful not to render “evil for evil to anyone.” The apostle provides a lesson plan for this in his letter to the Romans (12:14-21), where he says that we are not to repay evil for evil (v. 17). Instead, we are to bless those who curse us (v. 14) and endeavor to live peaceably with all men (v. 17). The only weapon in our kingdom armory is “good” (v. 21).
What that means is that when we are accosted with evil, we are to follow the lead of our Lord, “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). He who has subdued us to Himself is the one to rule and defend us, and restrain and conquer all His and our enemies. Our weapon is righteousness, wielded in wisdom.
Just as Paul disarms us of evil and arms us with good in his letter to the Romans, so he does in his letter to the Thessalonians. “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thess. 5:15).
When it comes to political division, often we as Christians celebrate those who align with us and tolerate those who do not. But we are to find our alignment with another kingdom and allegiance to our anointed Lord, something comprehensive and continual.
Paul expresses that here when he says always pursue what is good. That pursuit is not just for those we agree with but for all. That is the law of love, whether it be to our fellow believer, our neighbor, or even our enemy.
Moreover, love is laced with grace. We don’t love them because they deserve it or earn it. Rather, we love as we have been loved. We set our love on them, the outflow of which is seeking their well-being and not their downfall. Our longing is to be for their blessing in Christ, which we ourselves have experienced by His grace.
Think of someone with whom you are at odds for one reason or another. Ask yourself, “How am I repaying him or her evil for evil, in thought, word, or deed?” Ask your Lord to help you to see and take out the log from your own eye and to treat others as He has treated you.
The second question to ask yourself is, “How can I be a peacemaker?” How can you pursue what is good, what edifies, what blesses, what exhibits Christ? If you find your pursuit lackluster or halfhearted, ask Jesus for strength and conviction.
What different operating principles are there between the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God?
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
