Goodness

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 – ESV

Paul encourages us to do good to each other and focuses particularly on not repaying evil with evil. When he was writing this I wonder if he had in mind the Hebrew word ‘Chesed’ which translates to kindness.

The meaning of Chesed is used to mean good or kind and therefore zeal, love or kindness towards someone. It indicates a mutual benevolence or mercy or pity between people. It is also used of God, as he shows grace, favour or mercy towards people.

It seems to me that this is what Paul is getting at that God shows goodness to us; a goodness that we haven’t earned or can ever repay. This is what Jesus’ life and death was all about. It is his example that we are being encouraged to model our lives on.

Thanks to You ever, Gentle Christ,
That you have raised me freely from the black,
And from the darkness of last night,
To the kind light of this day.

Praise to You, O God of all creatures,
According to each life You have poured on me,
My desire, my word, my sense, my repute,
My thought, my deed, my way, my fame.

All are yours. Amen