Scripture Reading: Romans 12
Focus Verses: Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know Him who said, It is mine to avenge, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Do you dream of revenge on someone? Have you ever had someone who owed you a debt that would not repay? Maybe you have been treated unfairly. Or maybe you have been accused of something you did not do. There are a lot of unjust things that happen to us in our lives. In the scriptures, God is asking us to let go of our heart of revenge and let Him handle making things right. Our revenge can make things worse, but trusting God’s repayment of a situation is always perfect even if you can't see it.
Our life gets more messy and complicated when we take on the responsibility of making sure the other person gets what we think they deserve. How can we know what others deserve for their injustices? Our role is not to BE God, but to SERVE God. When God makes a person pay for their injustices, it is done perfectly. Something we cannot do. God may have different plans for paying back injustices. He may choose to show mercy and forgive their sin with minimal consequences. God may choose to bring them to the end of themselves through trials and tribulations. Or it may mean an eternity separated from God because of their deeds done on earth and rejection of Christ. Our job is to forgive the other person, no matter how hard it may be. God’s job is to give the proper judgment and consequences.
We are to give the situation over to God to do what is best. It could be that your forgiveness may be the very thing God uses to bring that person to Christ. Regardless, you do the right thing, and trust God to do the right thing. Romans 12:19 says, “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.” Who do you feel has wronged you that you feel the need to get even with? How can Christ give you the strength to forgive them in love in spite of what they have done?
Additional Reading: Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:17
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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