Bitter Revenge
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 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. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Today’s Text: Romans 12:15-21 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Our president could certainly learn an important lesson from this passage. In a way, this passage is what makes our Christian witness stand out in this world—not because a posture of nonviolence and non-retribution is unique to Christianity. Buddhism teaches the same thing.
What makes Christianity unique is the reason for not taking revenge. On the one hand, Paul says to “leave room for God’s wrath.” In the context of “salvation history,” God’s ultimate wrath will come on those who do not receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. On the other hand, in the context of God’s sovereignty, people reap what they sow, whether they sow trouble or peace (Job 4:8; James 3:18).
When it comes to God’s wrath in the eternal sense and in the present sense, we have a part to play as believers. In the eternal sense, we are called to bear witness to Jesus Christ so that the people we want to take revenge against will have an opportunity to receive God’s mercy (Matthew 5:44). In the present sense, we have a choice of whether to be “overcome by evil” or to “overcome evil with good.”
It’s interesting that by actively taking revenge, we are passively being overcome by evil. We have no control over that. But by “passively” not taking revenge, we are actively overcoming evil with good. But in both an eternal sense and present sense, we are invited to participate in God’s plan of salvation for the world in Christ Jesus by not taking revenge.
The word of God says about Jesus that for the joy that was before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). And Christians are called to follow His example, because He was fully human, too, and tempted in every way just as we are to avoid suffering (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
There is a great heavenly reward waiting for those who bear witness to Jesus Christ in this world (Matthew 5:11-12). And bearing witness to Jesus in this broken world will involve suffering on our part—at the very least, the suffering that comes from living in harmony with EGRs, living at peace with EGRs, and not taking revenge on people who may actually deserve it. Where can we learn to apply these principles if not in the local church?
Of course, this principle of not taking revenge does not apply when it comes to matters of justice. But we need to be wise in order distinguish the desire for justice versus a desire for revenge.
Father, You say that Your word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, but that path is difficult, at least in this world. Forgive me whenever I turn my back on harmony and peace and seek revenge, whether passively or actively. Help me to understand that Your goodness will bring judgment and justice. Help me to understand the great reward that is in store for me for trusting in You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
