“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: But righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: And the hope of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead.”
Proverbs 11:1-8 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.11.1-8.KJV
Undeserved Mercies
When someone hurts you or, worse, hurts somebody that you love, revenge can seem appealing. After all…
They were mean.
They were selfish.
They talked behind your back.
They broke a vital promise.
They lied about you.
They criticized you.
They ignored you.
They did the unthinkable.
They walked away.
They deserve to be punished, right? To feel some of that same pain? They deserve a consequence that will not only help them learn, but will be just as severe as the inflicted wounds.
And yet—because God sees things differently, both His standards and tactics can be surprising. And that’s why the apostle Paul, writing to the believers in Thessaloniki, said:
“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT
Paul’s words sound a lot like Jesus’ words—to love your neighbor as yourself; to do to others what you’d like them to do to you. (See: Matthew 22:38-40)
God’s ways ...