In All Circumstances

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 In 1st Thessalonians, Paul is writing to a persecuted church. They are a religious minority: they are slandered, they are beaten, they receive no justice. Many of them are Romans — and Romans had certain rights — but those rights were being thrown away because they were Christian. Paul tells them, “Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong.” This is such a message our world needs today, by the way. “But always strive to do what is good for each and for everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”