“Revenge!”
One of the most challenging areas to trust God is in the business of justice. When we experience some form of injustice, or maybe even a perceived injustice, our natural tendency is to see the guilty party pay. We want justice to be served and we want it immediately, particularly when we are the victim. In fact, our desire might be to deliver justice to the offending party ourselves. Yet, the Bible is clear, God warns Christians that vengeance or revenge is not our responsibility.
Speaking to the stiff-necked, rebellious, and idolatrous Israelites who had rejected him and incurred his wrath with their wickedness, God said, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly” (Deut. 32:35, ESV). God would take responsibility to see that justice was given. God is a just and righteous judge, and his justice is pure and unadulterated. Therefore, only God can ensure that justice is fully carried out and carried out in a way that is consistent with his very nature.
It might be tempting to play the role of God and seek to punish those we feel deserve justice. But man’s sinfulness makes it impossible to take revenge with pure motives. If we are impatient and seek revenge, we presume that we are wiser than God. Seeking revenge also reveals a lack of trust in God’s justice. We only bring harm to ourselves when we do not allow for the justice of God. Our hearts will become bitter and angry.
Instead, when injustice or a perceived injustice has been done to us, our responsibility is to respond with love and forgiveness:
Leviticus 19:18 the Bible says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD” (Emphasis added).
Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus said, “You have heard it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Emphasis added).
Christians, we are to follow the commands of our Lord, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) and leave the vengeance to the just and righteous judge whose judgements are perfect and pure.
Romans 12:19-20 Paul writes: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Leave it to God!
God Bless,
