PAY BACK WITH KINDNESS" I Thessalonians 5:15

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "Don't get mad, get even!" I hear a lot these days about "social justice" and "leveling the playground". That's nice, but, it usually just results in someone doing something vindictive to someone whom they perceive as a bully in one way or another. It is a slippery slope when we set ourselves up as judge and jury.  Here's one thing the Bible says about getting even.

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."  I Thessalonians 5:15

Did you get the word "nobody"? This is again the Word of God speaking plainly. Nobody does of course includes me. And you. I think that is supremely important to remember this because, if we don't understand that even our situations are included we will rationalize a way to pay someone back. When you start thinking about how you will get back at someone it is like a cancer eating away at your deepest being. It can consume you. 

In contrast to trying to think of a way to even the score, Paul tells us to find ways to be kind to each other. You see, it takes a tremendous amount of strength and self-control to be kind when you want to be vindictive. But, it actually is grace. The grace of God working in you. The experiential knowledge of the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God to you, causing you to be gracious, merciful and forgiving to each other, even those who wronged you. Actually, forgiveness is the higher ground and in this spiritual battle we daily fight it is always best to maintain the higher ground. 

Today's To Dos: Who do you need to try to be kind to? How can you show that kindness in action? You might need to start with a simple hello. 

Father, help us to be kind to all, even to those who aren't kind to us. Praise be to you in us today!