“Seeing it is a RIGHTEOUS THING with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;”
(2 Thessalonians 1:6 KJV)
This is truth. God will one day take vengeance on all who do not believe and who persecuted believers. That is what God will do in righteousness. He offered them the gift of salvation and as a gift, it can be accepted or rejected. By rejecting such a great gift, they will pay for their sins themselves (John 3:18).
But should we use this as a positive thing in how we treat our enemies? Like this?.. “You will pay one day!!! I call God to curse you!” Unfortunately I see those calling them self believers doing just that! Or should we boast about this fact in gladness at all? NO. It is just a statement of fact Paul is giving to encourage believers under persecution to stay the course, keep the faith.
How about we should LOVE OUR ENEMIES and PRAY for those that persecute us as Jesus taught?
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:44-46 KJV)
How about we forgive our enemies and pray that God not hold it against them as Jesus prayed on the cross…
“Then said Jesus, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34 KJV)
…and as Stephen prayed while being stoned,
“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60 KJV)
The point is encouragement to keep our faith in being saved in 2 Thess. 1, but in our walk we are to love above all.
