The Retribution Of God And Combatting Injustice – The Christian Position On Retribution: What Do We Do? - Part 5 Series

THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD AND COMBATTING INJUSTICE – THE CHRISTIAN POSITION ON RETRIBUTION: WHAT DO WE DO? - PART 5

[A]. THE CHRISTIAN POSITION ON VENGEANCE AND INJUSTICE

Having looked at various examples from the Old Testament and drawing certain conclusions from them, we now turn the spotlight to consider the point of view of Christians to the matter of retribution. Should our attitude be the same as that of the pre-Calvary saints? Should our prayers be fashioned after theirs? Is not our God an unchanging God who has the same standards and execution of retribution as He did in David’s day? The problem of what is the correct way to react to injustice and to deliberate hurt or vexatious attacks, is not an easy one to work through because deep emotional feelings are often involved. This message today comes from my own personal experience.

The Christians who want to live for the Lord and do what is pleasing in His eyes often struggle to know the guidelines and the boundaries for their behaviour. I am not suggesting anything here as a blueprint to follow but certain principles, I believe, are indicated in the bible and as this subject is investigated, let us find the principles most applicable for us.

The whole benchmark for the Christian must be measured against the positions adopted by Jesus Christ and Stephen. Paul will be considered, too. Right from the beginning of His ministry, Jesus lived and taught the righteousness of the Law though His enemies did not understand because their hearts were hardened. He lived out the Law perfectly and therefore fulfilled its righteous requirements. What a contrast His ministry and authorative teaching was to the ritualistic Pharisees. How strange several of the sayings must have seemed to some, in a culture of seeking your own solution or exacting your own justice. Here are excerpts from Matthew 5:6-43 {{“Blessed are the merciful - - - Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness - - - Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely - - - You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” but I say unto you - - - You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy - - -.” But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. - - -.”}}

We can’t help but see a change of emphasis coming out in these verses as we step out of the Old Testament days of mixed reactions to injustice. They are certainly not in support of self-motivated retribution or self-seeking revenge. What Jesus is saying, in effect, to His followers is, “You live out your life before God in love, and leave the whole matter of retribution to Him.”

For a moment, let us consider God’s own son who could have summoned twelve legions of angels to annihilate His enemies in the garden. How those angels must have watched, waiting for the precise moment to strike in the garden, waiting for the retributive command from the Lord, but it never came. He allowed Himself to be humiliated before His enemies; He, the creator of all things and the eternal God, taken and bound by unholy servants of the Pharisees, while His own angels observed in bewilderment. How could this be?

Great is the mystery of godliness - God was manifest in the flesh, etc. Peter did not understand, nor did any of the disciples then, the events which were unfolding, leading up to the crucifixion. Later, though, they fully understood and Peter wrote these words from experience and inspiration, {{1Peter 2:22-24 “Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, HE DID NOT REVILE IN RETURN; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed.”}}

Later they could understand that all these events were in the predetermined counsel of God and unfolding precisely according to the will of His Father. We must note that there was no retribution then, no revenge, not any reviling. The word tells us that even the passers by reviled Him, casting abuse (Matthew 27:39). The ones executed with Him, reviled Him (Mark 15:32). While on the cross He uttered those immortal words, not of pious ignorance, but of true Godly intention – {{Luke 23:34 Jesus was saying, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM for they do not know what they are doing,” and they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.”}} That would have to remain the pinnacle of Christ’s example in all our attitude to, and consideration of the matter of retribution. Surely it challenges us as to the level to which we should also attain.