Defraud Not Thy Brother
by David J. Stewart
These Scriptures speak of judgment for the born-again believer. The unsaved will be judged at The Great White Throne of Judgment; whereas, Christians will be judged at The Judgment Seat of Christ.
"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." —1st Thessalonians 4:6
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." —Romans 12:19
We are warned from God's Word about defrauding one another. The Greek meaning of the word "defraud" in 1st Thessalonians 4:6 is "to take advantage of; to make a gain." We are NOT to take advantage of anyone. Notice that God warns us not to defraud anyone "IN ANY MATTER." This includes ALL types of wrong doing.
"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." —1st Thessalonians 4:6
Notice the phrase, "...go beyond..." Certainly, there is always a high-road and a low-road one can take in any situation. What would God have us to do? Matthew 7:12 is the GOLDEN RULE... “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." —Romans 12:19
The word "repay" in the Greek literally means "to punish." God WILL punish those who fail to right their wrongs in this life. Vengeance belongs to God alone.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." —2nd Corinthians 5:10
Everyone will give account to God on Judgment Day, especially those who have been given a position, money, influence, and the ability to do the most for God...
"...for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..." —Luke 12:48
God will judge us as individuals on Judgment Day, for the GOOD and the BAD. The following Scripture speaks of judgment for all believers...
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." —2nd Corinthians 5:10
Listen to the Apostle John in Revelation concerning the death of the believer...
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." —Revelation 14:13
Yes friend, our works do FOLLOW us into eternity. We're not saved by those works, but those works still have to be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
"O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure." —Psalm 6:1
Do you fear God? ...
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." —2nd Corinthians 5:11
Carefully read 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11 together...
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." —2nd Corinthians 5:10-11
Therefore, knowing the "terror of the Lord," we persuade men. The Apostle Paul feared God. This particular word "terror" in Greek means "that which strikes terror, dread, fear." Friend, I fear the day when I must stand before God. I am not ashamed to admit that I fear God. I want to live for Jesus now because I know that someday I will have to stand before the Lord in judgment.
"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." —1st Thessalonians 4:6
What Happens to Believers Who Hurt Others?
