Repayment

 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
2 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2th.1.6.ESV

As Christians, we suffer affliction above and beyond that of the world. Apart from usual worldly afflictions, we also face persecution, insults and mockery from the world, and the fierce opposition of the devil. Having said that, a day of reckoning is coming on those who afflict us.

The day of judgment will cause our afflictions to pale into insignificance as we face eternal glorious rest. Our enemies, on the other hand, face everlasting shameful affliction. So if we're tempted to go for the easy option, we need to have an eternal perspective.

Bear in mind that the writer himself started out afflicting the church of our Lord. Saul of Tarsus violently persecuted some of Jesus's first followers, before his Damascus Road conversion to Christ. As long as we're in this world, we should bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us.

Jesus calls us to love our enemies. We aren't to wish affliction on anyone, but to warn our oppressors that to continue on their trajectory will lead to eternal affliction. Jesus came to save sinners, not deserving people.

'Father in heaven, help us to love those who hate us, and call them to repentance and faith in You. Thank You that affliction isn't the end of our stories, because of Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, amen'

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