An End To Revenge

Read: Romans 12:9-21

Do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. —Romans 12:19

The newspaper headline read: NO END TO CYCLE OF REVENGE IN MIDEAST. In the wake of suicide bombings and military retaliation, the article told of a 28-year-old man consumed with avenging his uncle's death. "When someone dear to you is killed," he said, "you can't sleep; you have to do something." But even after killing two men he considered enemies, he still had no sense of satisfaction. No one can ever win by trying to even the score.

Is there a cycle of revenge in your life today? Perhaps it's an on going verbal battle with a co-worker, a spouse, or a child. It may be a simmering feud with a neighbor or even someone at church. Whatever it is, our Lord wants it to end.

Revenge is a weapon of such devastating power that God alone can handle it. He said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (Romans 12:19). The weapon He has entrusted to us is kindness: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink . . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (vv.20-21).

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't appeal to courts for justice in some cases. But because God is just, we don't have to personally repay those who wrong us. With kindness and love, we can bring an end to revenge. —David McCasland

Now evil prospers, falsehood reigns,
And darkness dims the light;
But we rejoice to know that Christ
Will one day set things right. —Sper

Revenge gets you even with your enemy; forgiveness puts you above him.

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