2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 - Eternal perspective on justice

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 1:4-10
4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.
5 This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.
6  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed.
NASU


Thoughts:

Paul points us to the eternal perspective that we need to have in our lives.  The Christians at Thessalonica were undergoing persecution because of their faith (verse 5b), so he points them to God's eternal justice.  The wrongs they were suffering because of their faith will some day be repaid by God when Jesus returns (verses 6-10). 

The desire for revenge is such a natural reaction to suffering or offense at the hands of another.  Our flesh desires payback!  But this is not the way of our Lord, nor should it be ours.  Jesus asked that those who persecuted Him be forgiven, though their mistreatment of Him went all the way to the cross and death.  How much more then, should we forgive those who harm us, most likely in a much lesser way? 

Rather than desiring revenge, we are to trust in God who will make all things right in His time.  How comforting it is, to know that He will relieve our suffering (verse 7) and deliver justice to all those who demonstrate by their rejection of the gospel (verse 8) that they deserve punishment.  Though this is unpleasant to think of, it is ultimately the choice of each person:  either to humbly accept God's forgiveness; or to receive the punishment that our wrong deeds have earned.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NASU

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for my childish reactions to adversity.  My desire for instant justice, revenge in reality.

Help me to grow up!  To have Your mind in these matters, as Paul illustrates here.  Give me a long-term (eternal) perspective, remembering that my battle is not with other people, even those who offend or mistreat me in some way.  Let me have pity for those enslaved to sin, sin that may even result in hardship in my life.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.