The Discerning Church

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (CCEPONTVVI:AR): The British triad defines three classes: the man of the devil returns evil for good; the man of men returns good for good, evil for evil; the man of God returns good for evil

our default position is the first 2

the natural man tends to fall into theses 2 classes

This passage however teaches something unnatural (contrary)

This is a consequence of the new birth in Christ

For the Church in Thessalonica & to this church

As those who have been redeemed by God through Christ and sealed by His spirit

This truth has to express itself in a real way (tangaible way) in the way we interact with others bith in the chirch and outside of the church

This takes the upmost care & vigilance

Hence Paul says “See that” NIV “Make sure”

There’s an expectation of obedient effort

This effort is a result of your spiritual perception

In the market place of relationship (various kinds)

There is a way you as a christian conduct yourself in this market place

It should be defined by 2 Contrasting attitudes

Payback (Subtract)

Pursue (Add)

No one Repay (Pay back)

Apo+Didomai (Give away/to give back)

To give or do something as a required response/outcome

Language used for Reward, Fruit, Taxes

Rewarding good behavior or gaining fruit as a result of labor or paying faair taxes is acceptable

But what happens when others wrong us, labor seems to be unfruitful, taxes are unfair

God’s expectation is that we don’t meet those circumstances with the same evil

Why? Because we are His in Christ

We are to reflect His image Romans 5:6-10 “6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Matthew 5:43-48 “43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 “And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

This is an out working of what the Lord does for you on a daily basis

It is the fruit of self control by the Spirit that will enable you to not engage in this attitude (which is the default of sinful man)

Instead...

Pursue (seek after) the good

At all times & in every circumstance (always) no conditional clause to use as a loop hole

you endavor/aspiration/ striving toward

That which is morally admirable/ excellent

good means one perfect in all that piety demands; excellent, honorable, princely, blessed;

Based on the standards of God

Taught by Christ in scripture

Aligned with the fruit of the Spirit bore in you

There’s nothing more admirable/excellent than Christ Philippians 2:1-4 “1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, 3 doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:5-11 “5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:12-13 “12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

The godly church is one that displays this not only to one another but towards all that bear the Imago Dei (image of God)

No partiality in how we display this godly (Christlike) Character.

We do not however need to worry about being a doormat

Romans 12:9-21 “9 Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16 by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind. 17 Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, respecting what is good in the sight of all men, 18 if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men, 19 never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENE…”