WOW! This certainly is not a Christian character trait that is broadly practiced in the Christian faith. How do I know that? I often hear parents tell their children, “You don’t start a fight, but if someone hits you, you hit them back.” Which leads me to believe that they practice that in their own lives. However, adults are subtle with how they do it. Yet, the Bible teaches us not to take revenge. In Romans 12:17-19 Paul is teaching the church not to take revenge on those that do them wrong. He says not to swap an evil for an evil. In verse 19 we are told explicitly not to do wrong to those who have done us wrong. We are to leave the situation to God, and He will repay those who have done wrong. We are to be peacemakers.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
In Romans 12:18 we are to live in peace with all men if at all possible. If we can defuse a situation, we should. When people are angry and seeking revenge, they say and do things they regret later. Tempers can escalate and get out of control, causing people to say and do things they never thought they would do. Yet, the first word of this verse is “if,” signifying that it is not always something we can control. However we are never to be the one who initiates a quarrel. We must remember while there are those who oppose us, slander, mock, and persecute us we are not responsible for their behavior, but we are responsible for our reactions to them. We must remember that we are called to be peacemakers. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
In the next verse Paul addresses the church with “Dearly beloved.” This is a tender way of reminding them of the relationship that should exist between them. You may say, “that would not mean anything in my family, we fight like cats and dogs.” While that may be true, it was not God’s design. Brothers and sisters in Christ are to love one another in obedience to the Lord. We are not to avenge ourselves. In Matthew 5:38-41, Jesus teaches us to resist the desire to get revenge. This passage is a hard one to swallow if you are determined to have what you deem as justice for yourself in all situations. If someone hits us on the cheek, we are to turn the other cheek; if they sue us, we are to give more than they ask for; if they ask us to go a mile with them, we are to go two. You may say that is an impossible task. No one can do that. Let me remind you of Jesus’ actions when He stood before Pilate. Matthew 27:13-14 Then said Pilate unto him, Hear thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.” While the creator of the world could have been an orator who would silence anything that they could say, He knew His Father would avenge Him in time. When angry men are so bent on getting their way the only thing we can do is keep silent. God will defend us, and when we behave wisely in obedience He will be honored.
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Matthew 5:38-41 “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”
We are called to be peacemakers. This is an attitude so different from the world that it would easily be noticed by those who are not Christians. Everywhere we go, every situation we find ourselves in, we should be a peacemaker. Can you imagine how sweet the church would be if everyone who professed Jesus as their Savior would follow this command? There would be fewer church splits, and sinners would see what we have and either become curious or have a desire to have what we have. This attitude can only be exhibited as we follow God’s command to love one another. This is evidence to the world of who we are: Christians, Christ’s followers, and disciples of the one who did not retaliate when treated wrong. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.” It will take genuine love for others and love for Jesus to be a peacemaker, but this is vital to our testimony. We are never to seek revenge. In Hebrews 12:14, we must be a peacemaker and live seeking to be holy if we want to see Jesus. While all will see Him on the judgment day, this “shall see” is referring to dwelling with Him forever. What an opportunity God has given us. We can make a difference here and spend eternity with Him.
Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
