Equal Measure!

Equal Measure!

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:15 AMP

Today's extract is directed by Paul at the believers in his day in the church at Thessalonica. Paul had given them several instructions on how to live in the world as people with an understanding of eternity; people with an impact on earth but with their hearts set on God. One lesson: You may be celebrated and applauded by men, but God must hold your heart completely if your life must have lasting impact.

And for my life to have lasting impact, it must showcase God daily. How do you imagine that amongst people who claim to know God, Paul is charging them not to repay evil for evil. What this shows is that the human nature needs to be put to death daily, if it will not become a stumbling block to all that God intends. The world is inclined to evil, but all who live by God's standard must follow a different code. I cannot claim to be a follower of God and at the same time, a follower of the world. The world believes in meeting force with force; an eye for an eye, but God demands a different code of conduct from me.

He demands I seek good for those who are of the same faith with you and goes further to demand it for all people also. Good does not discriminate; good does not consider reward; good does not look at tribe, culture, background or connection before it flows out; God does not send his rain on only those who have given their lives to Him, but to all men. He demands the same response from all of us who claim his standard.

And this is important because there are eternal consequences to every action or reaction. If I do good, I sow seeds of good that someone somewhere will reap. If I do evil, I also lay the groundwork for what I will also receive in the future. Forget people's reactions to you; just do what God has commanded and leave the hearts of men to Him. If He created the heart, He is able to sort it out and align it to his perfect will. His time of favour is here.