Someone wronged you… said something that wasn’t true or bad about you… took advantage of you… hurt you, a family member, or a close friend…
How does the saying go… “I don’t get mad – I get even!” (and in most cases, we even ignore the first part of that saying).
Is that the way Christians – devoted, obedient, followers of Christ – should behave?
I was faced with that challenging question today in my Bible reading during my daily time of devotions I call “coffee with the Lord”…
Here’s what Jesus said… “You have heard that the Law says, “’An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’ (Exodus 12:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) BUT I SAY TO YOU…” (and I paraphrase what follows)… Don’t retaliate! Don’t try to get even! Instead extend mercy and grace to those who wrong you, offend you or take advantage of you! In other words BE GODLY! BE CHRISTLIKE!
OUCH!!! Lord, help me to be more like you! Start it within – in my attitudes – help it to happen “inside – out!”
Apostle Paul, in writing to Christ-followers in Rome put it this way…
“Never pay back evil with more evil! Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable… Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the LORD. Instead, ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.’ (Proverbs 25:21-22) Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good!” (from Romans 12:17-21 NLT)
I want to live that way! Lord help me to be more like you! Not simply “human” – but authentically holy!
Coffee With The Lord 