December 2017
'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord...do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good” (Rom. 12:17-21).
When we are hurt, we have only two choices:
We can enter the hurt in our heart's ledger and
plan to get revenge. We are amazingly creative at
how we collect our debts. We might withdraw from
the relationship, criticize or slander the one who hurt
us, erupt in anger, plot ways to hurt them or ruin their
reputation, attempt to thwart their success, question
their motives, ignore them, spread rumors our
options are endless. We can even put a mask on our
revenge with a closed mouth and pious smile. If our
heart is angry though, we have already murdered our
enemy (Mat 5:21-22).
The irony of record-keeping and revenge-
seeking is that we end up hurting ourselves more than
the one we hold liable. A vengeful attitude aborts the
development of Christ-like character, shackles us
with chains of bitterness and anger, and can
ultimately destroy our lives. Furthermore, it can
cause God to “stand down” from disciplining and
correcting those who hurt us. When we attempt to
seek our own justice, we may obstruct God's. God
does not need vigilantes.
Forgiveness is not an act of our emotions, but a
choice of our will. Just as a merchant can cancel a
debt from his ledger, you can erase every debt you are
holding against those who have wronged
you...regardless of how you feel.
Essentially, forgiveness is an act of faith. When
we choose to abandon the role of judge, jury, and
executioner, we are acknowledging that God is
sufficient to handle those who have hurt us. We
transfer all collection rights to Him. The case is no
longer in our hands, but entirely in His.
If we choose this Biblical path, we will never be
disappointed. God is good enough, just enough, and
wise enough to deal with our offender in the proper
manner. He always does it right! We seldom do.
To your amazement, you may discover God's
name recorded in your ledger. Are you angry with
Him over some injustice done to you? A good
indicator would be to check your proximity to Him.
Have you withdrawn from His fellowship? If so, it
may be because you have wrongly concluded that He
is not to be trusted. God could have prevented the hurt
from coming your way, but for whatever reason He
did not. Now He may be the one toward whom your
bitterness is aimed. As you release your debts, you
must fully repent of what you are holding in your
heart against God.
As you review the ledger-book in your heart,
what names are entered there? Perhaps there is one
that appears many times, with several documented
offenses. Their debt to you is great. How long do you
plan to hold them in contempt?...Until they
die?...Until you die?
Will you, by a choice of your will and as an act
of faith, release every debt in your heart?
4. Ask God to fill your heart with His
purifying love
We are clearly commanded to love everyone,
even our enemies (Mat 5:38-48). You may think this
is impossible, and it would be if God were not
involved. If you have come into a genuine
relationship with God through faith in Christ, the
|PAGE 9|