Revenge can be hard not to act on because it feels right to us when someone wrongs us. Without pursuing some sort of revenge, we worry the other person will think what they did is okay and they won't have gotten what they deserve in retribution. But it's strange that we would think that way, because, as believers in Jesus, our entire existence depends on us not getting what we deserve from God. We get to experience the grace and the mercy of God on a daily basis, and we rejoice that we are recipients of that mercy, but we don't like to share it with others when they have wronged us or hurt us. But as Christians, we are called to share it with as many people as possible.
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.” So Paul is reminding us that we are not to take on the role of judge – God is the judge, and he does not need your help to bring justice. We, as flawed humans, are not good judges. But God is the perfect judge. We serve a God who already knows all the evidence. God has never had one of his rulings overturned because he made the wrong decision. God is not biased, and he does not need your help to be the judge. Let God be God.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Recall a time when you have taken revenge or wanted to take revenge. What about that situation caused you to feel justified in these feelings? How does reflecting on God’s mercy and grace make you feel regarding your justification for revenge?
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