Revenge is Mine, I shall repay!

And so for this weekend, my thoughts and my observations are about the state of this world. I was watching CNN last night and was horrified by two people discussing with the host about the increase in rape incidents across America. A young schoolgirl was found unconscious in the campus grounds after she was allegedly raped by a group of boys in the school. The assailants had vanished without a clue leaving the poor victim to die.

Friends, this is the way it is everywhere. We only have to pick up the daily newspaper or click the television channel to learn about one crime after another being committed against innocent people. I can imagine the plight of the parents of that girl who was sexually abused. Her trauma must leave them permanently damaged in mind and body. My heart goes out to these unfortunate people. I too have wondered as to how Our God can allow such evil to continue and increase in today’s world. What do we need to do? How can we face the situation after it has happened in our midst?

We can console ourselves with the fact that Our God will heal on the inside of us through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the final doctor; he will go deep into our hearts and minds to help us get over the pain. He will not allow us to slide into permanent depression and disaster. We know of the first reaction of the victim or the victim’s loved ones. They will want to get even with the person who has hurt them so deeply. Even my own response to the person who has kidnapped and raped my daughter will be to get even with the rogue. I too will want an eye for an eye – I will want revenge, a revenge of the extreme kind. But soon as a born – again Christian, I will see the intervention of the Holy Spirit. He will point out that revenge and seeking justice on my own does not belong to me; it belongs to the Lord. It is not for us to take the law into our hands and kill the offender. We have been told to allow the law take its course.

But all of this is easier said than done. Ask anyone who has been a victim. He or she will assert vehemently that they would rather go to jail and spend a life in prison than allow the perpetrators to go free without being hurt back. They just cannot allow the matter to be settled by God. What does the Bible have to say about revenge? We know there are promises in the Bible for every situation in life. We know that God will judge all human beings on judgement day for the actions they have done while on this earth. He alone is the final judge. As born-again Christians, we have the Spirit of God living within us. We walk in His Spirit, not ours. The following scripture verses should help when we want to deal with a grave personal hurt inflicted by the other person…

“The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” (Psalm 103:6)

“For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:3)

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

“For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.” (Jeremiah 16:17)

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work …” (1 Peter 1:17)

“Repay no one evil for evil … live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves … for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

The final promise is self explanatory. God is speaking in no uncertain terms – do not repay any one, evil for evil. This is an order from God. As God fearing Christians we cannot take the law into our hands. Let God punish the evildoer through the justice system of the land. If by chance the offender is not caught and punished, God in His time will judge and punish the evildoer. Only God can personally avenge the crimes committed against us. We know this is easier said than done. But constantly reminding ourselves of the scriptures given above, by meditating and praying over these situations we can face the problem.

Bible commentator: Sunder Venkataram (Thane)