What is your immediate response when someone cuts in front of you on the highway, almost sending you off the road? My immediate thought is to speed up and do the same to them. How about when someone spreads a false rumor about you? What is your response? Again, my first thought is to justify myself and spread a rumor about them. Fortunately, those are just my first thoughts. Nowadays, I don’t follow through on my first thoughts, thank God! I calm down and think it through to come up with a better reaction, something that won’t escalate the tension.
Jesus was severely mistreated. He was beaten for doing good to all and speaking the truth. He was whipped and then nailed to the cross to die. All the while He was merciful to His abusers. We will most likely not face such severe mistreatment, but we are called to follow His example.
Romans 12:18-21 says, “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. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We are never to avenge evil done to us. We should leave that to God, who is far more capable of exacting justice on our behalf. Instead, we are told to be kind to those who harm us, and in so doing they will be covered in shame.
It is difficult to be kind to those who mistreat us. But God promises great rewards to those who trust Him to bring justice.
Reluctant Retiree 