Wednesday 19th March
Read 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.” (NIVUK)
Paul, and Jesus, are rather unnervingly consistent on this. Be wronged. Retribution is not the way of faith. It is incredibly hard to be wronged though. We have an innate sense of justice and quite rightly feel that injustice cannot be allowed to go unchallenged – there must be consequences.
Micah wrote:
‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Micah 6:8) (NIVUK)
How can one ‘act justly’ if we can’t sort out injustice? We can love mercy and strive to do what is good for each other and those around us. We can humble ourselves before a God whose grace towards us so undeserved. But does acting justly mean that injustice against us must go unpunished? Paul’s view is more fully explained when he wrote to the Roman church.
‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.’ (Romans 12:17-19) (NIVUK)
Justice will be served. Just not by us.
