We continue to emphasize the principle of doing the right thing regardless if it’s popular or not returned to me. We have already looked at the statement in Romans 12 that tells us “as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men. In this same context, much is said about loving others and blessing others. The following verses give us the proper response when it seems like retribution is the best course to take.
- Verse 9a: “Let love be genuine.”
- Verse 10a: “Love one another with brotherly affection.”
- Verse 14: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
- Verse 17: “Repay no one evil for evil.”
- Verse 18b: “Live peaceably with all.”
- Verse 19: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.”
- Verse 20: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”
- Verse 21b: “Overcome evil with good.”
Other passages are 1 Peter 3:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, and Proverbs 20:22.
The teaching for us is to treat those who mistreat us better than they deserve. For example, do not return evil for evil but blessing and helping them when in need of basic necessities of life. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27-31). This is the same as Paul telling the Romans to “overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Jesus taught us to love instead of return hate, to bless instead of returning a curse, and pray rather than return abuse. To give examples of what that might look like, Jesus adds, “To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also and the one who takes away your cloak, do not without your tunic, either.” He further adds, “Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back.”
It appears that being a disciple of Christ puts one at risk of being run over and abused because there is no repercussions. The nice guy finishes last. While we are stewing over this, consider Paul’s teaching in Colossians 3 to set your affections on things above. Neither this life nor its earthly possessions are of great importance. It is only when we value these things that we deem it fair to fight back when they are taken away from us. The Hebrew writer explains, “You joyfully accepted the plundering of your property [that is, without retaliation] since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:34). So, that which takes away the natural tendency toward revenge is the confidence that this world is not our home.
Another reason that explains why we should respond with loving compassion and do good toward those who would mistreat and abuse us is because of our Father’s nature. If we are to be His children, we would not think it strange to be like Him. We are told in Matthew 5:45, “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” In addition, because God is merciful to us in that he did not repay us according to our sins (cf. Psalm 103:10), it is easy to transfer ourselves into the position of others who are undeserving of our mercy. When tempted to repay others for their unjust and unkind deeds, just remember where we would be if God treated us according to our deeds.
You may be quick to respond that if we are to be like our Father and He is not only merciful but just, then why are we not also called to render justice? Personal vengeance is promised to be handled by God and because he knows the appropriate punishment rather than ourselves, we must give it over to Him to handle. However, there are areas where this principle of fairness and justice can and should be applied. For example, we are given the authority to render discipline toward our own children. Instead of blessing the child that curses a parent, the child should be disciplined. In this way, we display the just character of our Father. Children learn that they are rewarded for good behavior and are not for poor behavior. Sometimes, when children are rewarded for bad behavior and mercy is extended beyond the requirement of justice, the lesson of accountability for doing our best is abandoned.
In addition to our relationship with our children, we may also hire someone who deserves the agreed wages at the end of the job. Yet, the Bible distinguishes this person from the sluggard. the principle is that the one who will not work should not eat (cf. 2 Thess. 3:10-12). Both the person who takes goods without paying for them and the one who takes wages without working for them are thieves. The position of authority is given to one who has hired work to be done. If that work is not done, the worker’s wages could be withheld.
The civil government has been given authority over citizens like parents have over children. Both are given the right to punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:2-4). Paul identifies them as “God’s servant for your good” to avenge God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Here’s a clear distinction made in the same book that, vengeance being God’s business does not exclude the right of appointed authorities to execute justice.
These exceptions are extensions of God’s mercy and justice but are not foolproof. Each makes errors and in some cases abuses their position of power. Still, without them, we are left with orderless chaos of injustice where the lawbreaker continues without impunity. But, we leave with you the rule, not the exceptions. The rule is to leave vengeance in the hand of God.