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Arthur Blessitt Weekly - Vol. 2, No 38
| OLUME 2- NUMBER 38 | SUNDAY, September 21, 2003 |
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Revenge and Vengeance Almost every movie one watches the main plot involves some action of injustice or perceived wrong then revenge is taken. The thrill is seeing how the revenge is taken. The fallen nature of humanity seeks revenge and vengeance. This action by people reveals a lack of confidence that God can or will take care of the matter or action. Just look at the world today and study history. You will see an unending call for revenge. Consider the Middle East and you are faced with a horrible action or injustice and the other side then commits a similar horror or action as a payback. The very heart of conflict around the world is rooted in this spirit of revenge and vengeance. Think about it. The rational goes'¦look what they did to me, or my family, or my country! This is also the root of personal and family and business conflicts. There is a world of bitter people seeking to pay back their spouse, or divorced partner or child or parent or friend. Many people are seeking ways to punish those who have wronged or offended them. I remember carrying the cross in Papua New Guinea up in the Highlands Mountains. I saw with my own eyes hundreds of warriors lined up throwing spears and charging into a battle. Some person in one tribe had done an injustice and the other tribe was seeking “Payback'! It was considered primitive tribal warfare. I look at the world today and see the same thing. No difference just different weapons! Same spirit and same primitive behavior. The big key to this is that both primitive religion and major religions often accept revenge as both a right action and even Godly! Even the so-called secular non-religious people seem to fall into this same mindset. Often the religion demands an action of revenge. In the Old Testament of the Holy Bible there is story after story of actions of revenge and vengeance. Even the Hebrew law stated: "
But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, Yet even in the Old Testament we have the revelation of God saying: 'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely
rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
In Jesus we see the full understanding of the concept of Revenge and
Vengeance. Jesus is God in the Flesh and we now understand from Him
how 'we' are to live. We come to realize that vengeance
is in the Hands of God. We are not to try to do God's work. We
are to love, forgive and bless the wrongdoers and enemies. This revelation
was stunning to the people of His day and it is still considered radical
and impractical by many, even the devout believers often seem to think
that this is just too much. "You have heard that it
was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
"And whenever you stand
praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your
Father in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there
they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and
the other on the left. In the Words of Jesus you can see clearly His teaching to us and how we are to live and how we are to react to offences. Now should you have a problem with the above then your problem is
Jesus'¦not me! I remember as a child one afternoon when my sister and I got off the school bus and walked to our home, a neighbor was waiting for us. He told us that my dad was in the hospital. A drunken neighbor angry about something had come over and while my dad was not looking had picked up a board and struck my dad on the back breaking some of his ribs. My dad got up and made his way to the house where mother then took him to the hospital. I was about 12 or 13 years old, anger, revenge and thoughts of vengeance filled my mind. As the neighbor drove my sister and I to the hospital, over and over in my mind I was planning to take revenge. I will never forget one of the greatest gifts my dad ever gave me. When I walked into that room and saw my beloved dad in bed and injured. He looked into my eyes and saw my anger and rage. He called me to his bedside and said “Son, don't do anything. That man needs our prayers. He is hurting worse than me. That is why he drinks so much. Remember this son, the Bible says: For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says
the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." Even as I type this tears fill my eyes so much I can hardly see. “Thank you dad for teaching me a 'life' lesson.' He taught me in word and deed to leave the vengeance and repay to God. I also will never forget how a few years later my dad prayed with that very man and led him to know Jesus as his Savior! Praise God. I know some of you may find it difficult to live out these teaching
of Jesus. Just let Him fill you with the Holy Spirit and the very Spirit
of God that abides in the heart of the believer will give you this
grace. Focus on following Jesus and leave everything else to God! "You have heard that it
was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' God bless you, A pilgrim follower of Jesus, |
