Vengeange Is The Lords

Psalm 118:1-6; Romans 12:18-20 KJV; 11th Sunday after Pentecost; Leave vengeance to the Lord and strive to get along even with your enemies.

Transgressions Increase

                                             

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (Prov 29:16 KJV)

Whenever I consider how wicked the world can be today, I think about how evil it has been in the past and I don't see the world quite as awful today as we would portray it in our own minds.

Yes, there is injustice. It seems rampant at times. If we read world news we will see that in some parts of the world there is much more wickedness than here in the U.S.A.. 

Yes, there is wickedness in the world and transgressions do seem to be multiplying. But, it would be rather wise not to participate in the evil; rather, do harm to no one for the righteous will see the fall of those who harm others for their own purposes. It may take awhile. But, have patience. Justice is the Lord's. 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "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." (Rom 12:19)

This does not mean that we should not protect ourselves or our neighbors. We should assist all people in time of need; in times of persecution. We should stand with them fearlessly for if we are damaged in the process, we can be assured that God will provide the justice.

In the meantime may the Lord fill us with the Spirit of love, with the Holy Spirit that you might: "... cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Is Not Justice

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

                                                                               (Rom 12:14-21 KJV)

Avenge not yourselves! I have heard a lot about justice; particularly social justice, this past year. There were multitudes of people rioting for the sake of social justice. But, is it justice to destroy whole communities because you want justice? Is it justice to destroy whole communities that most probably need justice done for them in the first place? 

When we seek justice, we need to ask ourselves if the justice that we seek really justice for the people in need of justice or is it merely to going to feed our own egos; to accomplish our own self-centered and hate filled goals?  

Is it justice to falsely produce evidence or exaggerate claims against someone because you have decided that they are an evil person and they need to be taken down. Vengeance is not justice!

Justice does not happen when we destroy or take anything that belongs to someone else without having earned it. Justice happens when we freely give a drink of water to the thirsty; when we freely feed the hungry. 

Micah prophesied: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Mic 6:8)

Before we step out to do justice let us consider if what we plan is going to actually do justice or will it do more harm to others who are not even involved. There can be a lot of collateral damage in avenging ourselves. Consider this is what you are about to do going to cause others to take vengeance on you? We ought to humble ourselves when we consider whether what we desire to do will actually bring about justice or will it cause more harm. 

May God help us to do real justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance is God's

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

                                         (Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV)

Those who do not know Christ often call it karma. In other words what goes around comes around. We most often get to suffer consequences for our own bad behavior. In Paul's letter he wrote that God is in charge of vengeance. Vengeance is one of those negative things that will come back around and bite you if you for some reason you imagine that you have the authority to avenge anything or anyone. God is in charge of vengeance. Yes, we are to call out injustice for what it is. We do have recourse for injustices done to us or others. There are legal and civil means both in the world and in the church for justice to be served. We do not have to be perpetual victims.

I have found, over the years, that those who take vengeance out on others usually  prefer not to use authorized legal means because they themselves do not desire to have their own crimes found out.

Vengeance is God's. It is not ours. 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

                                                                          (Matt 22:37-39)

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (Luke 6:35)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Does Not Save

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.                                                                                                                                                                                 (Psalm 18:1-3 KJV)

Most of us have enemies; people who would do us harm. Turning to vengeance ourselves is not real helpful. The Lord will take care of you.

Spending time and energy to avenge ourselves can be like a boomerang. It could very well fly back and hit us in the face. Vengeance can cause all sorts of legal ramifications for us. And, living in anger will take away our peace. It can make us ill: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Leave the vengeance to the Lord. Trust Him for He is your rock, your fortress, deliverer, and strength. 

According to St. Paul: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (Rom 12:18-20)

Vengeance is God's. Trust Him and live life in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

 

Pray For Your Oppressor

"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" 

                                                                               (1 Peter 3:16-18 KJV)

I have had my share of having others speak evil about me. We all have. It seems to be human nature to tear other people down and it is what Jesus said would happen to those who follow him. He said:

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

                                                                                (John 15:18-20)

When assaulted do not repay evil with evil; rather pray for your oppressor. Paul wrote to the Romans:

 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

                                                                                 (Romans 18:21)

Loving and praying for those who persecute and revile you is not an easy thing to do. But, it is the right thing for them and for you. 

For:

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

                                                                                      (Matt 5:11-12)

May we all live in the blessed peace of God's eternal presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Avoid Vengeance

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18 NIV)

Revenge is a waste of both time and energy. Avoid any thoughts of it. There is not enough time in this world to waste it on someone who is so negative that they would hurt you at any opportunity. Step away if you must. Do not give them room to hurt you. Keep your conscience clear so that you might go about enjoying the life that God has given you. Do not fill your heart or mind with those things that will rob you of your peace. Revenge only creates more drama. If you want to live in peace let the Lord who is Almighty handle your enemies. Vengeance is His. We must focus on living life in Christ.

"'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 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.'" Rom 12:17-19

May God give you the wisdom and courage to let go and let God take care of your enemies so that you might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J