2 Thessalonians 1: For the Sake of His Kingdom
2 Thessalonians 1: For the Sake of His Kingdom
5. "All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering."
◇ Paul understood the suffering of Christians better than anyone else. He knew intimately the hostility from his own people, the Jews, and the mockery, contempt, and rejection from those who served other gods. He had once been consumed with hatred toward Christians and had fought at the forefront of persecution with all his might. After his conversion, as an evangelist proclaiming the name of Jesus, he endured every kind of suffering at the hands of both Jews and Gentile idol worshipers.
Who suffered more for the name of Jesus than Paul?
Paul, who understood suffering better than anyone, gave this exhortation to the Thessalonian believers who were enduring all manner of hardships:
"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."
Do not repay evil with evil, but rather repay evil with good. Perhaps this makes us appear even more foolish. People might think, "I can treat that person however I want." Yet despite this, Paul tells us to repay evil with good—not for our own sake, but for the sake of His kingdom!
It's easy to say, but we know all too well how difficult it is to put this into practice. Our hearts burn with indignation and resentment, tears flow, we lose sleep, we become sick... and yet, even so.
Does Paul not know this? Having been falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned... doesn't he understand what it means to repay evil with good?
Even so, Paul tells us not to repay evil with evil, but to repay evil with good. When he was beaten and imprisoned, he prayed and sang hymns. Instead of bitter cries of injustice and rage, he prayed and sang praises. The prison doors were opened, and the jailers repented.
Jesus promised:
Matthew 5:10: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
◇ Good and righteous God, help those who have wronged us and continue to wrong us to recognize their own condition and repent. Let them seek forgiveness. For the sake of Your kingdom, help us repay evil with good. God, resolve our injustices. Holy Spirit, make us strong and courageous!