Radical Goodness

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)

Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians weren’t written to a calm or settled church. They were written to a community under pressure—misunderstood by its neighbors, shaken by confusion, and trying to live faithfully in a complicated world. 

That context matters. Paul isn’t just giving them rules for getting along; he’s calling them to a way of life that becomes a witness to everyone watching.  

Paul’s instruction is deceptively simple: don’t repay wrong for wrong, and always strive to do what is good—for each other and for everyone else. It’s a call to forgiveness, patience, and active goodness. 

It’s also a reminder that these virtues aren’t meant to be practiced selectively. The Thessalonians were tempted, as we often are, to treat these teachings as internal guidelines—something we offer to “our people” but not necessarily to the wider world. Paul pushes back.  

He insists that the way we treat others is part of our witness, especially when the world is watching how we respond to harm, conflict, or fear. Imagine what might shift if we, who bear Christ’s name, consistently refused to escalate anger in public discourse. Imagine what would happen if we practiced patience with those who frustrate us, compassion toward those who struggle, and goodness toward those who disagree with us.  

In a world quick to retaliate, slow to forgive, and eager to divide, Paul’s words feel almost radical. They invite us to imagine a different kind of presence—one shaped not by the temperature of the culture but by the character of Christ. This is the kind of goodness that can quietly, steadily change the world.

Gracious God, shape our hearts so that our lives reflect Your goodness. When we are tempted to repay wrong with wrong, turn us toward mercy. When we feel impatient or weary, strengthen us with Your Spirit. Help us to do good not only to those we love, but to everyone we encounter. May our lives bear witness to Your grace in a world longing for healing. Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim