Here are some challenging words:
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Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 2
“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21
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Avoiding thoughts of “getting back” or “getting even” may be difficult for us when we have been wronged. It is a very natural response. But GOD says to never take our own revenge. Why does He say that? Because He’s “got it” and His solution will be far better than ours. But how can we trust this to be so? Consider this:
- GOD is a completely unlimited and perfectly pure (i.e. – “holy”) supreme spiritual being
- His limitlessness means that He sees and knows absolutely everything – He is everywhere at once and knows every thought and action. He knows what happened to you, why the perpetrator did it, the consequences to you, how you are feeling – EVERYTHING
- His perfect purity / holiness is the foundation of His unlimited goodness AND His justice.
- Every violation of His pure nature – His righteousness – will have consequences. He says in Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
- GOD WILL repay those who have wronged us, but He will do it in His perfect wisdom and timing – and we may not see it. (Of course, for those perpetrators with faith in Christ, their eternal security is secure – but GOD will still deal with them in the context of their redeemed state).
- His handling the justice side of the equation frees us to emulate Him on the goodness side of the equation.
Of course, in dealing with those who have wronged us, wisdom is always appropriate. But GOD has given us the framework – leave the justice to Him and focus our attention on the possibility of doing good.
If we take justice into our own hands it sidetracks the entire process.
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