DEVOTION – DAY 373

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Do Good, Not Revenge”

1 Thessalonians 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.”

In 2023, in the state of Manipur in North East India, there was an outbreak of violence between the majority Hindu Meitei community, and the minority Christian KuKi community. The violence left hundreds dead and many thousands have to flee the area for their safety. Tribal and religious differences had split the communities apart as both sides have resorted to violence. Homes, businesses and churches were burnt. This is what can happen when people take matters into their own hands to exact revenge for wrongs done to them. It is common for people to demand that if someone is killed, then, the person who committed the killing should also be killed. There is a popular saying, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

But in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, we learn that God commands us to do the opposite. We do not pay back wrong for wrong. That means that if we were treated badly by someone, we do not seek revenge. We do not have the right to treat our offender badly in return. Instead, God commands us to strive to do what is good for each other, and for everyone else. Instead of demanding revenge, we are to forgive others and show kindness instead. Jesus Himself gave us an example of showing forgiveness. Whilst on the cross, He asked God, the Father to forgive His tormentors because they did not know what they were doing.

We know someone whose marriage broke down. In a normal divorce case, the husband and his wife would both fight over how to share their common assets. They may fight and blame each other. But in this case, the man chose to do good. He did not want to divorce his wife. But his wife wanted to divorce him. He recognized that even though his wife was divorcing him, she was still the mother of his children. So, he chose to do good by giving in to all her requests. In the end, although their marriage ended, they remained good friends. They continue to jointly bring up their children. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us to replace love and kindness for hate and revenge. Help us to be your channels to show love to others. We humbly ask this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do you think so many people want to take revenge on others for wrongs done them? Discuss.
  2. What do you think will happen when you repay with kindness and goodness for wrongs done to you? Discuss.
  3. Have you ever resisted repaying a wrong with another wrong, and instead repaid with goodness and kindness to someone? Share what happened.
  4. Because God is love, we must love one another. How does this teach you to love others, and not hate them when they do you wrong? Discuss.