Vengeance is Mine
Our world is filled with graft and corruption. It has unfortunately become a part of the fabric of society. Among other abuses of power, we know that many in prominent positions are siphoning off huge amounts of funds for their personal advantage. We don’t like it, but that is the way it is.
Recently we witnessed a “new” phenomenon. A CEO of a very large health care company was gunned down in the street. The company he represented has a reputation for being hard-nosed in regard to medical expense claims. Meanwhile the CEO was reported to be receiving some $10 million per year income. What was amazing was the general public response to the murder.
Instead of horror at a cold-blooded killing, some of the general response was approval and joy. One report described “hero worship”. Large amounts of money have poured in as people want to support the killer’s defense. What might have been kept in the mind in the past is now in the public domain. Somebody had received their “just deserts”.
What was your reaction? We don’t like to see the graft and corruption so prevalent in our society any more than anyone else. And more importantly, what is a godly reaction? We are presented with two wrongs – is it justified to be happy that one evil settled another evil?
The word of God is not ambiguous and we should also be clear about God’s mind on the matter.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19).
“See that no man renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous. Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).
Our calling involves being in the world, but not of the world. It is natural to human nature to want revenge if one is wronged. We are to look to God for the rectification of all evil.
That calling and example is of a much higher spiritual life to which we aspire.
Brian Orchard
