vengeance is Mine, forgiveness is ours.

August 28, 2011 at 9:08 am · Filed under forgiveness

well, now that makes it easy, right? when those “trespass against us” we do have to forgive them, but apparently we don’t have to bother with the “vengeance”, He’ll do that.

Beloved, never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God,  for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

o.k., so the pressure we feel to settle the score is off. we do not have to shoot the dirty looks to repay the anger, or deliver words that hurt to equal the pain. we do not have to speak ill of someone in order to ease our jealousy or barter our good will in exchange for fair play. the good news is that God has agreed to take on the “spite” and “ nanny, nanny, boo, boo” for us. we can all move forward with smiles and kindness toward one and other. we can look pass the acts against us and live in peace and harmony knowing the repayment will be dealt from above. right?

not exactly. forgiveness is the real charge isn’t it? when we accomplish this, we are truly set free from the shackles of hate and spite. if we cannot approach the people and challenges in our life with our best attempt to understand we will carry around the demons of other people. with a true surrender to forgiveness we know that we may never fully see why those around us find some strange satisfaction in making us feel small so that they may feel larger. but if we allow them to penetrate our soul then we take on the characteristics that have been assigned to us by our enemy and not by our savior.

read and imagine actually accomplishing this with someone who has hurt you…

“But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. but if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39

imagine having the strength of Christ within you in order that you could not only look past the acts against you but to offer them more… we could never achieve this alone. we are not expected to. ask yourself when we harbor the feelings that call for vengeance and spite, if we could take on the strength of our faith, turn to His example of mercy and focus on peace within ourselves. if we “pray for those who persecute” (Matthew 5:44)  us and truly  forgive… sweet freedom is ours!

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