“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1)

A lot of people like the thought of getting back at someone who has harmed them.  The movies and other forms of “entertainment” are full of vengeance.  The “hero” as typified by many stories, has been wronged.  Their reputation was destroyed.  The “enemy” thinks them ruined to a point where no form of revenge is possible.  This type of story is enjoyed because the viewer (or the reader) can recall incidents where they have been “wronged,” finding satisfaction in the ultimate triumph of the “hero.”

After a relatively long time of intense suffering, the “hero” escapes the clutches of the doom they have fallen into.  During their time of loss, they had plenty of time to plan retribution, and now they set out to avenge what was done.  A favorite story in Western literature is “The Count of Monte Cristo,” by Alexandre Dumas, where the hero finally escapes from prison after learning where great wealth can be found.  He escapes, obtains the treasure, and sets out to avenge the wrong.  The literature of the East is also full of classic and contemporary tales of revenge.

In real life, such plans backfire in unexpected ways.  If we are able to “win” in such a setting, something of ourselves will be harmed.  The enemy may indeed get his or her “comeuppance,” but something inside us will be spoiled in the process.  If we were to take an honest look at ourselves after such a “success,” we would find that we are much like the person who harmed us in the first place.  You are taught to “love your enemies” (Matthew 6:44) and these words were uttered and written to protect – you!

Three decades ago, a man came into my home and life, and “did me wrong.”  His actions were deliberate, clever, well planned, and they effectively ruined life as I knew it at the time.  I was devastated, depressed, frightened – and angry!  Specific thoughts of revenge filled me.  Technicolor scenes of retribution flooded my mind, as imagination took me to thoughts that were better avoided.  I should not have had those thoughts.

I had been studying Scripture for about three years at the time, and was well aware of the Lord’s opinion on vengeance.  He prompted Moses to write: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).  Love and human vengeance are opposed to each other – the one will destroy the other.

The Lord was clear in saying: “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 50:6).  Jesus did exactly that.  In a prophetic look at the cross (hundreds of years before Jesus died for our sins), Isaiah prophesied, “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).  If you have been damaged, Jesus UNDERSTANDS, for He gave up everything of His humanity on the cross.

The Lord said, through Moses and Paul, “Vengeance is Mine” (Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19).  Whatever happens to us, God will make it right.  And He has taken care of things in a most unusual way.  The Judgment of God fell on Him.  As Isaiah taught, “HE (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).  All sins, including our vengeful acts, were paid for by Jesus Christ, who died for the thoughts and actions of this world.

I was wounded by the man who harmed me, but I also felt smug about my “innocence” in the matter; until encountering Romans 2:1.  While reading the last few verses of Romans Chapter 1, I saw people who are “… backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…”  I breathed a sigh of relief as I read those words: “That’s HIM,” I thought: “That’s the man who did it.”  If I had closed the Bible at that point, I could have continued to feel smug.  But I kept reading.

The context continued: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn YOURSELF; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1).  I groaned out loud.  I was struck to the center of my soul, for I knew (and know) that I am a sinner, too, in thought, word and deed.  The Bible teaches that, “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  I had judged this man to be guilty, instead of taking him to God.  He needed prayer; not retribution.  I had sinned against God by my thoughts of revenge.

When you creep over your neighbor’s fence at midnight and poison his dog, you have acted against your neighbor, for the dog was his.  Your neighbor, if he can prove that you did it, will sue you in Court, and judgment will be entered in his favor.  However, if the neighbor DOESN’T call the authorities, but instead gets a weapon and shoots you, then HE is guilty and judgment will be entered against HIM.  Human vengeance is illegal and it is sinful.

All sin is against God.  King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then murdered her husband to cover it up (2 Samuel 11).  David was placed into a position by God where he finally admitted his sin (2 Samuel 12), and later reflected on it.  David acknowledged to God, “Against You, You only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). 

By saying, “Vengeance is Mine” (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19), God is protecting you and me.  You and those who injured you belong to the Lord, whether or not you acknowledge Him, for we are His creation.  To take vengeance into your own hands is to not believe that He can and will make things right.  You will be judged for your unbelief.  But the good news is this: “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me” (Romans 15:3).  Yes, you are guilty, but your guilt has fallen on Jesus Christ – When you BELIEVE in Him and what He has done, you will 1) be forgiven and 2) learn to forgive – in Him.

Lord Jesus, we confess our sin and ask for Your forgiveness.  Help us to become people who forgive.  We trust in You, Lord, that You will act for us and set us free.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchontheNet.org
www.BlessedHands.org
E-mail: Ron@FridayStudy.org
Tel: (562) 688-5559
PO Box 92131
Long Beach, CA 90809-2131
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)