When you were in elementary school and one of the other children did something mean to you while you were playing on the playground during recess, did one of the teachers or playground supervisors do anything about it? Really, that is a part of their job, both to watch out for the safety of the students while they play, and to administer punishments to those who require it because of their actions.
The law enforcement officers do the same thing as well. Their job is to help those in need, but more importantly to bring the unlawful and disobedient to be punished for their crimes. Likewise in the Christian faith, it is God the Father Who will repay and punish the wicked who do evil towards His servants.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Our God is a merciful, kind, just God, and when others do evil towards us we can be certain that He sees our suffering, and know that He will take care of the punishment of the wicked. We are not to avenge ourselves by returning evil to those who harm us, but to commit ourselves to the justice that comes from the Father.
Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Vengeance is not ours to take upon ourselves when we are wronged by others. That authority has not been given to us, but we are commanded to instead allow ourselves to endure that suffering, because it is the Lord Who will punish the wicked. We must be patient and allow ourselves to endure the trials and sufferings that others may force us to go through, just as Christ did. When Jesus was persecuted and made to suffer He never once retaliated and avenged Himself, even though He certainly had the power to, He didn’t. He allowed Himself to endure suffering. So must we, if our desire is to be like our Lord and Savior.
Commit yourself to the care and protection of the Lord. Don’t avenge yourself, because God will take care of it.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 