Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV
Context and Charge:
We now live in a world where getting even is becoming even more popular. We see nothing wrong with paying another person back in his own coin, giving back as much stick that you get. We justify what we do with the comment that we are not fools, and that we can't be taken for granted, and so we lash out as often as occasion demands it, and then we complain and moan that the world around us is falling to pieces. How can the world work well when we are all looking out only for what makes us comfortable, does not challenge us or place any demand on us, but is content to excuse our behaviour? I note also that these words were written to a church, so let nobody think s/he is immune from trouble simply because the person has accepted Jesus as Lord.
I must also not think that because it calls itself a church, it does not have the sinful and the miserable in it. What is key is that we all experience the power of good. We serve a good God, who does good things, and who also can birth and sustain good things inside us. It is convenient to go down the easy road and do what comes naturally to the fallen man, but if indeed I have had a personal encounter with this good God, I will not need to be compelled or cajoled into seeking the good of all who come in contact with me. In fact, because the good God lives in me, when trials or trouble tries to squeeze a response or reaction out of me, all that will come out of me will be the good that is my essence and content. Can it be said of me that good is all I am and have?
Conviction and Conclusion:
It is a warning and admonition to all of us to do good. I do not need to worry about the other person's reaction or response; I only need to worry about the output of my life. It means then that I must focus on the input into my life. Input takes time to fill out, but output may be revealed in just a few moments. I must pay attention to the things that are allowed to impact my input, so that when it is time to place a demand on what I have stored up, only that which is good, in line with God's nature, will flow out of me. God is looking for people He can work in and work out from; people who can serve as His eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart. The world is the platform for the manifestation of God, and He seeks men who will perform for Him on that stage. Can He count on you? Can He count on me? God's time of favour is here.
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