Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43, 44).
You may have noticed the great amount of anger that is demonstrated daily in our society. For several years this dangerous trend has been growing. Whether at work, school, a shopping center, road rage, church buildings, riots, or other circumstances, people are no longer embarrassed to show how out of control they can become.
Could it be admitted that because many in our society have laid aside their Bibles, a large section of our population has forgotten what God’s word has taught on this subject? Many of the struggles people face in our good land can be traced back to this very fact.
James 1:19, 20 says, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Proverbs 15:18 gives this instruction: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”
One author wrote of an older preacher who was riding in a new car driven by a young Christian. The young man was very proud of his new car and was excited to show off his new investment. As they drove down the street, another driver who was obviously intoxicated broadsided them at an intersection. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries. But considerable damage was done to the young man’s new automobile.
The young driver was at once filled with anger. A “drunk” had rammed his new car!
While eager to put his anger into action, the old preacher gently, but firmly, grasped his arm and said, “Remember who you are!”
These words stopped him. He knew what the preacher meant. He remembered he was a Christian, a follower of Jesus. He remembered that Christians are not to go around seeking vengeance on every transgression they encounter in this life.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:38, 39).
Listen also to the words of Romans 12:1921. “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As long as we live, there will likely be struggles and disagreements between ourselves and others. Some of these will be our fault. At times they may be the fault of others. Some of these transgressions will be long remembered while others will soon be forgotten.
Though this life will never be perfect, we can take comfort in the fact that we can overcome with God’s help and strength.
Since vengeance is God’s right, I don’t have to concern myself with fixing every problem that comes my way. Because the Lord is the righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8), I can trust Him and have confidence that He will make things right in His own good time.
Ephesians 4:22-24 gives this instruction to followers of Christ: “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
How we react to our struggles will demonstrate our Christian character, or the lack of it. If we seek Christ in our lives, we will not seek revenge. Our actions must not be guided by the passion of anger, but by an intense desire to please God. We really can overcome in Christ.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11, 12).