Outside of the church, people live by a different set of rules. For an example, as Christians we are taught and commanded by Christ to love one another as we would want to be loved, as well as what it means to love one another, but outside of the church people may not care whether they love their neighbor or not. They may not care whether they tell lies about others, or do something that would be considered wrong according to the Bible, because they are not bound by their faith in Jesus to keep His Word.
As Christians, we are taught to not avenge ourselves when we are wronged by others, but to instead allow ourselves to endure that suffering, just as Jesus did. Instead of avenging ourselves, we need to allow God to avenge us by lifting up our prayers to Him for deliverance, and we can have the confidence that He will hear our prayers and punish those who would harm us. Jesus told a parable about this in Luke chapter 18.
Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Our God is filled with an abundance of love for His children, and we can have great comfort in the knowledge that He will avenge us when we are made to suffer at the hands of others. Like Christ, we need to just let it happen and leave the rest up to God to punish the wicked.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Of course it would be a great thing if everyone in the world believed in the teachings of Christ and loved each other, but this is simply not the way of the world. I have seen families torn apart by fighting and bickering over the most ridiculous of things, money, possessions, arguments, but if they would just submit themselves to God’s Word this would all be alleviated. But instead of showing this kind of love to each other they fight and desire to return back all of the evils that they received. But this should not be in the church.
Suffering is a part of being a Christian, and this is something that we need to get used to. They hated Jesus while He walked this earth, unjustly, but they hated Him, and as followers of Him we can expect to receive the same from others who do not abide God’s Word. But it is alright, because when we suffer, God will see it and will avenge us speedily. Just lift up your prayers to Him, and stand fast in your faith. God sees you, and He will repay.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 