WEDNESDAY'S WORDS- AVENGE, REVENGE & VENGEANCE - 02/20/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?"  - Eleanor Roosevelt  

 

Almost everybody on the planet knows The Avengers: mortal and immortal heroes endued with supernatural powers who have been charged with bringing justice and protection to the world. It seems Stan Lee and the other Marvel Comic creators wanted us to acknowledge that there is always warfare going on around us. Forces are fighting on our behalf, and that more than often than not - they win the battle. AVENGE means to inflict harm for an injury done on behalf of oneself or someone else; to vindicate (clear someone of blame or suspicion, to show or prove to be right, reasonable or justified). Have you ever been a victim of injustice, falsely accused or deceived? The importunate woman in Luke 18:3 cried out to an unjust judge, "Avenge me of my adversary!" The premise of this parable about persistent prayer, is that God, our just Judge, will speedily avenge those of us who cry out to Him day and night for justice...if He finds that kind of faith on the earth." (vs.7-8)  

 

What makes REVENGE different from AVENGE is WHO is inflicting the 'payback' hurt. Generally with revenge, YOU are inflicting retribution yourself as opposed to allowing an outside party to execute VENGEANCE - punishment for the wrong. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12 wanted us to understand the difference between these words and their corresponding actions. He desired that we both comprehend and implement Jesus' standard, which is definitely not easy to do. (Romans 12:14-21)   

 

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On 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 his head.

   

Don't you just want God to strike them down with a lightning bolt? Just expose them one good time. Let what they touch crumble.  God says, "Let Me handle it. "You just live at peace with them, bless them and overcome their evil with good. I'll admit, sometimes none of that is my first...or even second response. I liked the 'heap burning coals on his head" part
at first, until I understood it  meant atonement for sin like what Jesus did on the Cross. Your adversary's remorse and change will come via your demonstration of kindness and forgiveness. "It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance." (Romans 2:4) So, instead of revenge...let God AVENGE you as you do good.     

 

 

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