There are lots of big headlines in the news this week, like the latest trial for the GOP presidential candidate. For the last eight years, citizen Trump has declared the GOP as a party of law and order. Even before taking office, he promised to restore law and order to America.
Our courts were designed to judge unlawful behavior, that’s why we call it the justice system. Ironically Mr. Trump has found himself on the wrong side of the law and accused of his own crimes.
I can’t help but think of God’s command for His people to be different than the world we live in (Deuteronomy 7:6, Psalm 1:1.) God goes as far as to tell His people to have nothing to do with evil, not even the appearance of it (Job 1:1, Amos 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:22.)
God’s people are called to do good and not seek revenge (Proverbs 24:29, Galatians 6:9.) Citizen Trump has made it clear about his political ambition to get revenge against everyone who opposes him. Revenge is what I call the evil twin of justice because it is self-serving.
Revenge
Revenge is defined as “The action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.” If we are trying to hurt others for whatever reason then we are not acting or living like Jesus.
Christianity warns believers against taking revenge because revenge comes from our human and fallen nature (Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30, James 1:19-20.) Revenge is what happens when anger makes us sin.
The Apostle Paul reminded the early church about what God said about revenge (2 Corinthians 13:11, Ephesians 4:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:15.)
Nāqam
Judaism warns against seeking revenge like the world does; but to let God avenge His people (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 43:1-4, Proverbs 3:28-30.)
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for revenge is nāqam and it can also mean “Take, avenge or punish” depending on its context. The Torah emphasizes the need for God’s people to let God avenge them. God promises to give justice to His people (Deuteronomy 32:8, Psalm 37:27-29, Proverbs 28:5, Micah 6:8.) Of course God understands the negative consequences and patterns of human revenge.
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Heightened stress
- Remorse
Jesus understood that all actions have consequences; revenge is bad for the human spirit. Jesus taught His followers not to repay evil with evil (Matthew 5:38-39.) Jesus focuses more on forgiving than getting revenge (Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4.)
Jesus was both God and man, He had the power to either forgive or avenge, yet never let His anger cause Him to sin or hurt anyone. Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example.
How they met it is hard to forgive when we want revenge or even justice. We are never more like God than we forgive and resist getting revenge. We must always remember we serve a just God.
Just
Humans are flawed with a sinful nature, God is perfectly righteous and shows no partiality (Acts 10:34.) Our hearts are tainted by sin and rebellion.
Jesus is the perfect God-man; He shows us God’s way to live. Humans may long for justice, but we often seek revenge instead. Seeking revenge is the opposite of how Jesus taught His followers to live.
- Love
- Forgive
- Seek justice
- Do good
We can see the difference between revenge and justice playing out in Israel and on college campuses around the country. Peaceful protests seek justice, but violence is part of wanting revenge.
Israel certainly has a right to defend itself, but extreme force isn’t necessary, especially if they let God get Nāqam!
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