Monday, April 29, 2013

Revenge


“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’” (Romans 12:18-20 NIV)

I read a story recently about the two brothers who set off the bombs at the Boston Marathon.  According to the article, the older brother had become increasingly disenchanted with life in America and began to believe our government was at war with Islam and killing innocent Muslims.  Thus, he and his brother took it upon themselves to exact revenge by killing and maiming innocent Americans.  In India, Muslims have done the same thing to Hindus, and Hindus have exacted revenge upon Muslims, as well as Christians.  And after being attacked by Muslims in Egypt last year, Coptic Christians sought revenge against their attackers.  

Seeking revenge is a human tendency that has existed since the Fall.  And, if we are honest, it is understandable.  We want people who hurt us to get their due.  Paul was writing at a time when the Romans literally dominated the world and they made sure everyone knew they were in control.  They often bullied and abused people.  No doubt, there were people in the church who wanted to seek revenge against them.  

But Paul commanded them against it.  Instead, like Jesus (Luke 6:27-28), he said they should treat their enemies with kindness.  Yet, he is clear that avoiding revenge is not letting people off the hook.  It is merely allowing the Judge to bring His justice in due time instead of attempting to do it ourselves.  In essence, acting in revenge is assuming a role that belongs only to God.  

If we step back a bit, it makes sense.  Whereas God’s judgment will settle things once and for all, revenge just stirs things up and perpetuates further violence and hatred.  There are a myriad of examples of this in cultures across our world, many of which have been going on for hundreds of years and even millennia.  

Today, consider that whomever you may consider your enemies, your response to them is to be love and acts of kindness, not revenge.  There is but one Judge and it’s not you.  

© Jim Musser 2013

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