“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.'” Romans 12:19
May 24, 2023
What does it mean to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2)? It means not to get in the way of God in pursuing justice. Seeking to be a peacemaker has its hazards. There will be those who will stiff-arm attempts at reconciliation. For example, this can be seen in such a statement as, “If you forgive me, I should not have to repay the money I owe.” Some people will seek your harm and won’t relent. But revenge, though a natural impulse, is not an option to the Christian. Revenge can be disguised in various ways: By deliberately inconveniencing others by verbally striking at a sensitive area, by avoiding the person (s) or failing to speak to them, by taking them to court, or by turning a mutual friend or family member against them. This doesn’t mean that we aren’t to be concerned about the principle of truth and justice. God has His way of vindicating Himself. There are instructions in the Bible for handling disagreements and injustices. Never forget that God has a judgment day coming. Until a wrongdoer repents we are not to let that person’s sin control us or define us. Stop watering silk flowers. Release all bitterness and place the wrong into the Lord’s loving sovereign hands.
H
“O Lord, keep me from letting other people’s sin ruin my life. Comfort me in the hurt that continues. Enable me to make my wounds become scars. Keep my heart joyful in suffering.”