Revenge?
We’ve talked about not seeking revenge because revenge is
only God’s to give here on Walking the Way, but I’ve never thought about how I
would feel if the revenge I so desperately wanted was to be inflicted on
someone. How would I react if the person who has done me harm came to what I think
of as their just reward? Would I be happy and gloat? Well the Bible makes it
clear that rejoicing over the downfall of your enemies is a no-no.
And actually that’s quite hard because think our natural inclination is to maybe not
rejoice but certainly take a certain amount of satisfaction when those who have
hurt us get their just rewards. And then I think about the grace and
forgiveness of God and how God has extended that grace and forgiveness to me.
And how God expects me to do the same to those I class as enemies. We were God’s
enemies, but he chased us down and saved us. Think of the witness if we do that
to those who hurt us and are now being hurt. ‘No, “if your enemies are hungry,
feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this
you will heap burning coals on their heads.”’