1 Thess. 4:6-8; Psalm 51, Vengeance

Several posts ago we put the outline for this passage that deals with sexual immorality.  We have come to a matter that many people might find difficult: vengeance.  Difficult or not it is the word of God.  If you struggle with a God of vengeance pay attention to this passage.  It reveals the love of God for the weak and oppressed.

·        The God of vengeance, v6b.  This should be general knowledge for believers.  But it is possible that even Christians will forget this truth as we talk so much about God’s forgiveness in the realm of sin.  Sin forgiven does not mean punishment is withdrawn.  “I’m sorry” does not mean no consequences.  David is a sufficient illustration of one who was forgiven and who then reaped grievous consequences.  Consider David’s consequences from 2 Samuel:

o   Guilt, real and felt (12:1-9; Ps. 38,51).

o   Sword in his house (12:10; Amnon killed by Absalom; Absalom by Joab; Adonijah by Solomon).

o   Retribution (the law of the harvest, vengeance; 12:11-12).

o   Shame brought upon God (12:14).

o   Death of the child (12:14-23).

o   Curse (God’s blessing withdrawn, 12:16-19).

o   Leadership paralysis (13:21: did not deal with Amnon; 14: did not make right decisions concerning Absalom).

·        The causes of vengeance, v7-8.

o   Note first that it says the Lord is the avenger of all such.  The “such” Paul speaks of are those who are defrauded by sexual immorality.  In these days of #metoo when many people are up in the air about abuse of women we should remember God has always had this concern and not just for political advantages.  This reflects His compassion.  

o   Sexual sin denies God’s purpose for us.  We are not called to uncleanness (filth) but to holiness (Eph. 1:4).  Remember that the broad context of Paul’s teaching in 1 Thess. 4 is sanctification, which is the will of God (4:3).  In other words, this is more than illicit sex; it is a denial of God’s work in our lives.

o   Sexual sin denies God’s presence in us.  You may remember in Psalm 51, David’s confession, that David understood what v8 says: he did not merely sin against man but against God (Ps. 51:4)!  This is the primary issue with sexual sin: we are the temple of God and sin against the body shames the Lord in the most profound way.

We believe that paying close attention to these thoughts will help us understand that the judgment of God makes sense.  Whether or not it makes sense it is still a fact: the Lord is the avenger of all such!