Some years ago a murderer was sentenced to death. He has a younger brother who had served the State so well in the past and to which the State was deeply indebted. This younger brother sought the governor of the State for his pardon. The pardon was granted and his brother was about to deliver the good outcome to him. He visited his brother in prison with the pardon in his pocket. But before he would give him the good news, he asked him this question. “What would you do, if you received a pardon?” His brother replied, “The first thing I would do is to track down the judge who sentenced me, and murder him; and the next thing I would do is to track down the chief witness, and murder him.” Because of what he heard from his brother, he thought it best to leave him in prison to serve one sentence for one murder, than to see him back in the same prison to serve multiple charges for murders. The brother rose, and left the prison with the pardon in his pocket.
Revenge and retaliation can be a deadly exercise. It can potentially imprison us for the rest of our lives. In Romans 12:17-21, Paul wrote:
17) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19) 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. 20) On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on the head.” 21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 NIV
Revenge is forbidden in the Old Testament:
Lev. 19:18 - You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Prov. 24:29 - Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
Personal revenge is forbidden in the New Testament:
1. By Jesus Christ - Matthew 5:38-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
2. By the Apostles -1 Thes. 5:15 - See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Life can be cruel. You may have experienced injustice and unfairness at one point or another and you feel a strong urge to get even, to make an attack in return for a similar attack, to fight back, strike back, put up a fight, return like for like, give someone a dose/taste of their own medicine; to take an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, to retaliate, and take revenge, ask the Holy Spirit to help and turn the other way. From the Word this morning, would you consider a Christ-like response?
1. Show your enemies undeserved kindness which may elicit a response of shame or repentance.
Jesus Himself experienced unkind treatment from people He came to save. And in each occasion, Jesus, as a Man, could have taken revenge. One example of this was recorded by Luke in 9:52-56. Jesus was rejected in Samaria and His disciples were itching that Jesus take revenge. Look how Jesus responded to them. - And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
Two things are evident in his reaction. First, He defended the unfriendly, unwelcoming Samaritans by way of rebuking his disciples, (v55) “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Second, Jesus accepted the cold reception of people and avoided further clash with them by leaving them in peace. So, he went to another village instead.
At the cross, Jesus showed us this kindness. We owe a sin debt to God that we could never repay. In Col. 2:13-14, Paul wrote that at the cross, Jesus erased and cancelled our certificate of sin debt to God by nailing it on the cross. When I focus on it, I am come to my senses that leads me to repent. When this guy Zacchaeus felt the kindness of Jesus despite his pile of sins. Zacchaeus couldn’t resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He was ashamed of his wrongdoings which moved him to repent.
The natural impulse is to return injury for injury, but retaliation for personal injury is not for those who claim to follow the one who told his disciples to turn the other cheek and go the second mile (Matt 5:39, 41). It is contrary to the Scriptures. Paul told us “to do good to all people especially to fellow Christians when opportunity arise (Gal 6:10). In Hebrews 12:14, we are told to “make every effort to live in peace with all men.
In the Bible, we see Stephen lived out this Christian ethics. Stephen suffered an undeserved death for his faith. But, he didn’t retaliate. He willingly accepts his lot without grudge but with earnest prayer for his enemies. In Acts 7:54-60, Luke gives as a glimpse how Stephen was brutally murdered by stoning because he bluntly confronted the religious leaders without restraint. – The religious leaders ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Instead of thinking how to we can give the person a taste of their own poison, think again, pause for a while and look at Jesus! Do not hit back! Do not hold a grudge or try to get even (The Passion) (v17) but try to see the beauty in everyone. (The Message) Try to find the treasures beneath your bad experience with another. Underneath each experience is a blessing in disguise. In v17 of our text, as believers, we are to be careful to do what is honorable in the sight of everyone. If you do, you might get a surprise from God one day.
Do you mind if I read you a story that excited my heart? It touched me and hope that it touches yours too. Some years ago Tony Compolo told the story of Miss Thompson - a School Teacher and professing Christian. She claimed that she did not show any favouritism, but it was obvious that she couldn’t stand Teddy Stollard. Teddy had a sad face most of the time. His clothes were untidy, doesn’t comb his hair to school, and she had pleasure putting red crosses on Teddy’s work papers. She should have known better as she had Teddy’s records. First Grade... “Poor home situation.” Second Grade... “Mother seriously ill, received little help at home.”Third Grade... “Well behaved but father shows no interest.”Christmas came and the boys and girls brought Miss Thompson presents. Among the presents was one from Teddy Stallard. His was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape and written on it was “For Miss Thompson from Teddy.” When she opened Teddy’s present, fell a flashy bracelet with half the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to giggle over Teddy’s gifts but Miss Thompson silenced them immediately by putting on the bracelet and some perfume on her wrist. Holding her wrist for the other children to smell, she said “Doesn’t it smell lovely?” And the children taking their cue from the Teacher agreed with “oops” and “ah’s”. When it was all over and other children had left, Teddy lingered behind and came to her desk and said softly, “Miss Thompson... you smell just like my mother, and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents.”
When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees - cried and asked God to forgive her. When the children came back to School, they had a new Teacher - Miss Thompson had become a different person. She really helped the children, but especially the slow ones, and especially Teddy. By the end of that year Teddy had made dramatic improvement and moved on. She didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time, and then one day she received a note that read “Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to know I will be graduating second in my class, Love Teddy Stallard.” Four years later another note came. :Dear Miss Thompson. They just told me I will be graduating first in May class, I wanted you to be first to know. The University has not been easy, but I liked it, Loved Teddy Stallard.” Four years later. “Dear Miss Thompson. As of today I am Teddy Stallard M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be first to know. I am getting Married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now. Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard.”Miss Thompson went to that Wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat. She deserved to sit there, she had something for Teddy that he would never forget.
When we choose to do the honorable things in the sight of God and man, we benefit more than it benefits others. We became a vehicle of love and a vessel for God to change someone’s life, and the power of the Kingdom of God is released through us.
2. Win them over. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. It is interesting how Jesus seemed to do the opposite in a lot of times. Look at what he said in v.20, If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
Example: David to Saul - 1 Sa 24:12–15 King Saul relentlessly chased David with a plan to kill him for reason that David couldn’t figure out. And there was a time when David got a chance to strike King Saul back to death. But David chose the God way. Instead, David said these words to the King Saul. I can kill you right now if I want to, but, “Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you. Therefore let the LORD be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.”
It is natural for us to seek justice when it is called for and given the chance to. However, the justice system of God under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ operate very different than the world system. Justice must be done but it must be left in the hands of God, or of the authorities ordained by God. Christians are never to take vengeance into their own hands. For example, Christians are told to avoid taking a fellow brother or sister to court, but, rather seek the counsel of their church leaders. 1 Co 6:1–11 - Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? YOU ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THAT BECAUSE “you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
IT IS CHRISTIAN CONDUCT That we BE AT PEACE WITH THE LAW, THE LAW ENFORCERS AND THOSE IN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES. WE ARE TOLD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR authority AS BEING APPOINTED BY GOD.- Romans 13:1-7 - Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
IT IS CHRISTIAN CONDUCT THAT YOU BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR EMPLOYER AND THOSE ABOVE YOU AT WORK - 1 Pe 2:18–25 - Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.
FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT YOUR CHRISTLIKE RESPONSE AT WORK IS COMMENDABLE BEFORE GOD and, without your knowledge to a lot of people BECAUSE THEIR EYES ARE ON YOU.
Realistically, there are times when it might not be possible to be at peace with all, that’s why in (v18) Paul used the phrase, “if possible” it is because some people may remain opposed to us even after you have done the right thing by them. But, as Christians, we are not called to help God carry out divine retribution. Rather, we are told to do otherwise. In, 1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. So, don’t rip off yourself of God’s blessings.
3. Give room for God to avenge you. Let God repay them back. Leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written” “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. Heb 10:31 - The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. God has promised to “pay back trouble to those who trouble you” (2 Thes 1:6).
Righteousness will prevail against wrong/evil/wickedness. God is on his throne, and though all is not right in this world, he is the one who will avenge the wicked and reward the righteous. Know that:
Nahum 1:5 - The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
For all you know, God desires that you trust Him fully when you are rejected, when you are treated unfairly, when you feel neglected, or abandoned, or when you find yourself in a pit that others dug for you. Be steadfast, immovable, and take courage because “the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. In the meantime, allow God to heal, strengthen you, comfort, and encourage you each day! Let Him develop your patience. That is one blessing.
God desires that you rest in the Lord and keep your mouth close if you know that your next words would blow up your blessings. This is what Peter encouraged the church to do in 1 Peter 3:8-12.– For “He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
God desires that you look at every situation as opportunities for you to let God be who he said He is. God is God at all times, at all seasons, of all situations and all circumstances. He has his eyes on you. Surely, he has done great things and he will do it again. Great is thy faithfulness. Wait for him to vindicate you! Today’s misery is tomorrow’s victory in Jesus name! Great is thy faithfulness.
When you go home today, you’ll probably go home to the same family situation that you left this morning. When you go to work tomorrow, you will probably find yourself in the same environment that you left last Friday. However, you are to leave all of it in the hands of Jesus, the Living God. For the plans of men against you will always come to nothing. But, if it is of God, let it be. You cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God.” (acts 5:39)
Let God bring out the best outcome he intends to give you out of it. Jesus is on the throne. Settle your heart that he is! Watch him make a way when there is no way! He is a miracle worker even before the world began. He is a promise keeper from the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and thru all generations. Even when we fail, his covenant remains. His promises still stand. As you come to him humbly, believe that he is going to deliver you. He is going to avenge you. Calvary is empty! Victory is assured! This week, get a piece of paper, get your bible and pen and write down Bible verses that speaks of Christ’s victory. Pray these verses out loud and in faith expect God to deliver!
