Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay. Romans 12:17-19 HCSB
These Christian ethics get a bit harder as we go. When someone perpetrates evil against me, the first thing I think about is getting even. I’m not proud of that and I’m working on it, but that’s the first thing I think about. Usually after a few minutes of thinking about the things they have done and what I could do to get back at them, I realize this is the opposite of how God tells us to handle them. Then I pray. I pray because I’m mad. I pray because I know I am not supposed to be vengeful. Most importantly, I pray because I know vengeance is God’s job and I am not supposed to stick my nose into doing God’s job.
We are then told to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If we love the Lord, we realize we are a reflection of Him. We realize others are looking at us. They should see something in us they want. They should see peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is why our witness is so important. This is why we must do what is honorable. A few days ago, we listed Commandments 5-10 of the Ten Commandments and how they deal with how we treat others.
We are to honor our parents, we are not to murder, we are not to commit adultery, we are not to lie about other people, we are not to take anything that doesn’t belong to us, and we are not to even want anything that doesn’t belong to us. If we adhere to these commandments, we will do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.
My mom used to quote Romans 12:18 to me when I was having trouble with someone. If possible, live at peace with everyone. As Christians, we should do the best we can to be kind to others. The attitude of others, however, is something beyond our control. Sometimes no matter how we try to be kind, it will go unreciprocated. It may even be met with evil. We can witness to this person, we can share our testimony, we can pray for them, but when all else fails, we must move on. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 10 when he sent his disciples out into various towns. He cautioned them in verse 14, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.” Do your best, if it’s not well received, move on. In verse 15, he told them He was sending them out as sheep among wolves, and instructed them to be as wise as serpents, but innocent as doves. Even if we can’t get along peacefully, we should not let this cause us to sin or destroy our witness.
Paul began this section by telling us not to repay evil for evil. We ended our passage for today in verse 19 which tells us not to avenge ourselves because vengeance belongs to the Lord. Paul is quoting from Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance belongs to Me: I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” God has got this; you don’t need to trouble your pretty little head with it. Just let Him handle it.
When I follow the simple formula of loving my enemies, praying for those who persecute me, and leaving vengeance to the Lord, I find I have a change in heart. I find the anger leaving and being replaced by forgiveness. This gives me peace and joy. Leaving vengeance to God frees me to love Him and serve Him. Loving Him and serving Him are our jobs, vengeance is His, don’t get the two confused.
Have a great day!