Revenge

 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Romans 12:19 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.12.19.ESV

If we belong to Jesus, we are the beloved of God. Also, we have to play to different rules to the world. People in the world seek revenge when they are wronged. Christians are to be different though.

As Christians, we believe in the sovereignty and justice of God. So we don't need to take matters into our own hands. We can leave vengeance for the righteous wrath of God.

Our attempts at revenge are always disproportionate, perpetuating cycles of violence and injustice. God always metes out the right response to our actions however. He may not always be instantaneous in His response, but in eternity at the very least, justice will be served.

Paul goes on to explain what we should do instead of seeking revenge. He says we should give food and drink to our enemies, because that will completely disarm them, 'heaping burning coals on their heads'! We might even convict our enemies to repent of their wrongs.

'Loving Heavenly Father, may we leave it to You to mete out vengeance on our enemies. May we instead be forgiving and hospitable to them, in Jesus' name'

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