January 25
Avenge not
Romans 12:19-20

 

19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Don’t avenge yourselves, which means to take revenge.  God will look out for you.  It’s not your job to give people what they’ve ‘got coming’.   Remember how merciful God has been to you.

This isn’t always easy but it’s God’s way.  If your enemy hungers, if he has a need, go ahead and meet that need.  People will reap what they sow and we don’t have to worry about making sure they get their harvest.

What matters is that when you are wronged, you do right.  You show mercy.   One day that mercy will be returned to you when you need it.

 

Confession:

It’s not my job to see to it that people ‘learn their lesson’ or ‘get what’s coming to them.’  It’s my job to show love and mercy and give to my enemy’s needs.  I make a decision to show mercy and grace to others, even if they don’t ‘deserve’ it.

Obedience is a tree of life!