Saying No to Revenge - Sermon Summary

Letting God of Revenge Revenge is a temptation that we are all familiar with. It is a part of our lives that rises up when we are wronged. We can see evidence of it in many places in our world. There are websites online that give their full attention to telling story after story of revenge. A recent search found quotes like these from online “revenge” websites. • Join the thousands who have used our services to get revenge! • Your home for all of your revenge needs! • We stand ready to help you get revenge and let these individuals know exactly what you think of them! • “When you get revenge, it is all about putting you back in control and ensuring that the other person gets to experience the hurt, pain and humiliation that you have suffered.” Revenge often shows itself in the news. It is even the main topic in many of the popular movies that are shown in theaters today. But it’s not just out there, it’s in here. . . in our hearts. It could be a violent revenge, or passive aggressive revenge. It could be withdrawing love or withdrawing your best efforts at work. It may be holding a grudge for years and refusing to forgive your spouse, your relatives, or your boss. It could be gossip, bragging, or something as simple as “I told you so.” Revenge has many faces, many causes, and many responses. Revenge seems to naturally draw us in. In our own way we are all wounded and bitter souls that long for things to be made right. We long for justice. We long for people to get what they deserve. In contrast to the world’s natural desire for revenge we read these words from scripture: Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” Leviticus. 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” Romans 12:14,17-20 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. . .Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. These words of scripture sound like foolishness to the world. God’s Word calls us to love others as Christ loved us. That even includes our “enemies.” We are never to take revenge into our own hands. There are multiple reasons for this. God is the One who is ultimately responsible for justice, discipline, and vengeance. We are a sinner among sinners. Who are we to judge another person? We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), but God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Now some of us may have a hard time with leaving vengeance to God. Isn’t God all loving? Yes, but this love has different sides to it. God is gracious and He is also holy, but His holiness and righteousness demand justice. The balance between the differing characteristics of God can be found in Isaiah 61:1-2,”He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.” This vengeance is coupled with binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming freedom, releasing from darkness, and comforting those who mourn. God is gracious, but he is also the holy Judge who will discipline those who have rebelled against Him. This idea is reinforced in Galatians 6:7-10: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature  will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Saying “no” to revenge doesn’t make sense in our thinking, but God is calling us out of our reality and inviting us to live in His. Does this deny justice? Definitely not. It just chooses to acknowledge the fact that the kingdom of God has come and only the King has the authority to judge another. We refuse revenge because God will judge others so we don’t have too. We refuse revenge because we choose to forgive as we have been forgiven. We refuse revenge out of obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We refuse revenge for the sake of being a testimony to those who have sinned against us. We refuse revenge because we are healthy and stable in Christ who already granted us hope, love, power, and self-control. We refuse revenge because we have died to our self-centeredness and are now alive in Christ. One modern day example of saying “no” to revenge was found in Egypt a few years ago. The general population was protesting in the main city square, against the government of Egypt. The time of day for Muslim prayer came. The protestors had already been attacked by government police and/or military at various times. For these Muslims protestors praying would be dangerous because as they bowed down they were blind to and defenseless against any possible aggressor. In spite of recent persecution and even deaths at the hands of Muslims, Christian protestors formed a “human shield” around the Muslim prayers so that they would be protected. These Christians had chosen to “let go” of their right to revenge and had chosen the way of love. On the cross our value was secured so we no longer have to fight for our dignity and control. On the cross we see that God holds sin accountable. Today God is asking you to let it go. To live in His reality. To trust and obey and experience the wisdom of God. “But you don’t know what they did to me!” Let it go. “I refuse to be treated like that!” Let it go. “I deserve better!” Let it go. God is in control so we don’t have to be. Leonardo Da Vinci, once had a violent argument with one of his fellow painters. This was just before he began his famous painting, “The Last Supper.” Because of his anger at this painter Leonardo Da Vinci decided that he would paint the other painter’s face as Judas in his painting. In this way he would have his revenge throughout the centuries to come. Leonardo Da Vince followed through with this plan and everyone could easily recognize what he had done. Leonardo Da Vinci then continued with the other faces of the painting. However, when it came time to paint the face of Christ something just wasn’t right. No matter what he tried he couldn’t find the right way to paint the face of Christ. It was at this point that he remembered the face of his enemy portrayed as Judas. This was the reason for his frustration. Leonardo returned to the face of Judas and removed the face of his enemy. It was only then that his work on the face of Christ emerged with the success that has been remembered through the ages. When Leonardo DaVinci moved past his right to take revenge he broke the power of hatred and allowed the love of Christ to have the last word. 1 Is revenge holding you back from God’s best? Is anger, pride, a false sense of honor, or a judgmental heart holding you back from knowing Christ more intimately? Is an unwillingness to forgive making you a slave to bitterness? Is your lack of faith in God causing you to take things into your own hands and somehow pay someone back for what they did to you? Today “let it go.” Refuse revenge and give grace. In this act of obedience you will find that Christ becomes more clear and dear to you.