Tag: no revenge
The actions and attitudes of a Christ-follower!
Scripture reading for June 8th: Proverbs 8-10, Psalm 144, Romans 12
Key Scriptures: Romans 12:14-20 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.””
Paul explained to the new Roman believers what following Christ looked like in everyday attitudes and actions. Christ’s attitudes and actions were very different from the culture they lived in. They were to live in humble harmony with all other believers, whether in joy or sorrow. They were to seek to bless and be a blessing with those persecuting them or active enemies. They were never to consider revenge or paying back evil for evil, because God’s Word plainly stated that revenge was God’s alone to give. Good would always triumph over evil as love never fails!
Psalm 144:15 “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You have blessed me with Your Holy Spirit, infilling my body I have dedicated to You. Help me to grow in grace and obedience in my attitudes and actions towards others.
Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors.”
Imitate your Father (In Heaven)!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Luke 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Luke 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
The prevailing teaching was one of ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!’ God’s people were to show restraint in paying back others who wronged them. But Jesus came along and changed the rules. He asked His people to show love to their enemies by doing good for them. If they were hungry, disciples should feed them. If they were thirsty, drinks should be provided. If they hit you on one cheek, the other was to be turned. The new rule was: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
God, Himself, is kind and loving to the wicked and ungrateful! He provides rain from heaven, the earth and all its bounty for food, and meets the needs of even the atheist and satanist! He gives them grace–the opposite of what they deserve in hopes of drawing them to repentance. He promises to reward those who follow His example!
Observations for over-comers: All revenge belongs to God. It is His goodness that leads people to repent. God is kind and good to all to win some and we must imitate our Father! “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against on of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)