Sermon Recap: Supernatural Good (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

This is a new thing I'm starting on the blog: each Monday I will post a summary of the sermon my pastor preached the previous Sunday. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Remember that, while the article is for the most part in my own words, the ideas are my pastor's, not mine.

In the past, it was common for a man who felt that he had been wronged to challenge the one who offended him to a duel. This was considered a good thing, to avenge yourself and reclaim your honor.

Often, even now we feel that we have to get revenge on those who do something that hurts or offends us. We want to repay harm for harm, feeling that it is our right. But is this Biblical?

1 Thessalonians 5:15 says, "See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."

That doesn't seem to give many grounds for revenge. Our response to others should not be determined by what has been done to us, but what God calls us to do. We are called to be a source of supernatural good to the world.

Do Not Repay Evil for Evil...
Our natural instinct as fallen creatures is to want revenge. We feel that we are justified to cause harm to someone else if they have caused harm to us first. Because this is such a human tendency, it has become looked on as culturally acceptable to seek revenge.

This is even looked on as a good and honorable thing, as shown in the example of dueling. It is expected, even socially required of us to vindicate ourselves if we are criticized or offended in any way.

...Seek to Do Good
However, we as Christians are called to seek to do good in our lives. This does not mean that we ignore evil, but rather that we hate it and take care not to fall into it ourselves.

The ultimate example of good is the Lord himself. He has revealed to us in His Word what this supernatural good looks like; we can read the Word to learn more about His goodness.

Our Witness to the World
This goodness comes from the heart through the power of the Spirit. As we learn more about God, we become more like Him. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us love good and want to see it in the world.

This is how we can glorify God before unbelievers; often, this simple kindness is a better witness than telling someone the gospel directly. Through this we can show God's love.

Application Points

• This goodness begins in the heart. If you allow revengeful, resentful thoughts in your heart, you will not be able to outwardly restrain yourself forever.
• In order to have our hearts changed, we have to pray that God would teach us His goodness, and strive to learn more of Him through His Word.
• Whenever you come in contact with a person, get in the habit of asking, "What good can I do for this person?"
• Remember that your efforts may not always be appreciated; that shouldn't stop us, and that doesn't mean that God is not glorified.

What Do You Think?

• Can you think of a time when you have sought revenge in your life? How might the situation have turned out differently if you had repayed evil with good?
• How can you do good to others in the week to come?