Forgiveness Beats Revenge
September 10th 2008 17:13
In the beginning law was set, God’s law. This law as most of you know cited “an eye for an eye…” etc. (Exodus 21:24- Leviticus 24:21- Deuteronomy 19:21) But the law over time had been abused and misused. People used these laws to make the punishment worse than the crime itself as though it were a license to submit to rage and ‘get even’.
When Jesus taught he acknowledged that yes, that is the way it was and it is written but in our terms He basically taught us to tone it down. Example of mankind’s thought process: If someone steals something shoot him in the act and it is justified, if someone says something about you that you don’t like slander their name and try to ruin them, if an accident occurs sue them til they have nothing left, etc. This isn’t right. The laws of the Old Testament were provided so we would have structure for our way of life, borders and limits to live a peaceful life by, but they have gotten way out of hand much as they did in the time of Jesus.
Christ did not say to NOT resist evil, we are supposed to do just that. But when it comes to small, petty injustices don’t over react and seek punishment for selfish purposes. For instance when someone insults you your pride is hurt, you are not supposed to retaliate against them for your selfishness. Pride is not good either so if you are that mad over it apparently you need to fix problems within yourself and then the rest won’t matter.
As far as murder: Yes, a life for a life, but there are some instances where the death occurred as an accident- this is when mercy and forgiveness should be instituted. If you willingly take another innocent person's life, stop their heart beat, then you are a murderer. Should we show mercy to evil, cold blooded killers? No, of course not. Should we show mercy to a person that accidentally killed someone and is remorseful for the occurrence? Yes, we should. We need to distinguish evil from accidents and mistakes.
Christian are not to become consumed with anger and revenge. We are going to suffer injury to our person and our property but always we should remember that we are going to be okay because God will provide for us and with every act of mercy and forgiveness we will be blessed by God. Put pride aside and serve God by loving others.
Matthew 5:38-42
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Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
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.
Comment by TBT