Friday 16 October 2015

Vengeance is Mine





Scripture: 

Romans 12 v 19: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

2 Thessalonians 1 v 8:  "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."



There are so many unjust and horrific things done by violent people to those who are vulnerable that our emotions are roused to seek revenge for these acts. We become enraged at the perpetrators and engage in protest marches, or vigilante groups that also become violent.



Jesus says that we must not allow our wrath to take control and thereby cause us to behave like those who do evil. Becoming a vigilante and killing the person who killed your child may seem like justice to you, and satisfy that feeling that he will not get away with it, but you now have to pay the price he would have paid - a long jail term.



Jesus has much better ways of dealing with evil people. If they get away with their crimes all through their lives they will spend eternity in flaming fire regretting every thing they did to earn it. Its not what God desires but Heaven is for the righteous, humble people who exhibit the character of Jesus. Its the choice we make.



Jesus always tells us to forgive those that hurt us, no matter how deeply, and He will repay. He forgave those who committed acts of extreme violence on Himself. As Christians we are being changed into His likeness and even in the most awful circumstances we must come to the altar of forgiveness.



He will repay. He will. He judges fairly and deals with a person at a level way beyond the physical punishment. We may never know how or what happens but rest assured if any one of His body gets hurt He feels it and knows who did it and He responds.



I have noticed that He only responds and deals with the evil ones after we have forgiven them. While we are bitter and vengeful His hands are tied.  When we release them into His hands He makes His move.



It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. Just look at Syria being torn apart. Over the millennia Syria has tormented and committed violence in wars and barbaric acts against Israel. Syria opened a door that no-one but God can close. Its been a long time coming but God has finally removed His hand of protection over Syria and they are receiving His justice for their evil towards Israel.



Syria is in the hands of a cruel ruler, because of their cruelty to Israel. Satan is permitted to crush Syria. It is a curtain raiser for the future of a world under the power of the Antichrist, which believers thankfully miss. We are judged when we are born again and declared innocent.



There is a phrase in scripture that reads, They shall proceed no further. It may sound like a small thing but it is used by our God to frustrate people who frustrate us. That which they greatly desire is withheld from them. Every door is closed. They sow frustration and they reap the same. God gives them space to repent but when they refuse He draws a line in the sand that stops any progress.



So knowing these things are true we should be quick to forgive and let God sort out the baddies which He has been doing since Genesis like Sodom and Gomorrah; Pharoah; Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon; Judas the betrayer of Jesus, and Hitler.  He always has our best interests at heart.



Prayer:  Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to do Your job and playing god with people's lives. You are the rightful judge of people's motives. Cleanse us from our vengeful attitudes and judgment of others with the Blood of Jesus, and restore us to Your loving fellowship. In Jesus' name. Amen.