10/16/24

Romans 12:19 NASB1995 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

It is difficult not to respond in attack mode when you are being attacked. This is only possible when the Spirit is in control. If you allow the Spirit to be in control, then you can allow the attack without response, knowing that God will work in the situation according to His Glory and Righteousness. When you take on the battle yourself, then you are putting yourself in a position to act ungodly and, therefore, are just as deserving of God's wrath as your attacker. The fact is all are deserving of God's wrath, ourselves included. When we realize this then we know that even if our attack is unwarranted in that instance, it is warranted in another. As Paul writes this text, being led by the Spirit, he must be looking back on life. Thinking of how he has been imprisoned, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death. Five times, he received thirty-nine lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once, he was stoned and shipwrecked three times, each while doing nothing wrong. He was just sharing the gospel. Yet knowing He was deserving. As he says, "I used to imprison and beat those who believed, and when the blood of Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him."

One thing we must remember is while the Lord says "vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” He is also a forgiving God. 2 Peter 3:9 NASB1995 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

We must remember that He has forgiven us, so our thought in the middle of the attack should be (by the power of the Spirit), Lord, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.

So never take your own revenge leave room for God. He will do the RIGHT thing because He is Righteous! Sometimes that is wrath, and sometimes, it is forgiveness.

If we want to be like Christ we ought to pray as He did on the cross. "Lord, please forgive them!"

After all, we deserve Hell, but by Grace, we are offered Salvation.

Love Bro. Scott