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Jonathan Shradar
Husband, father, friend. Pastor @GraceChurch_SD in San Diego, CA. Random writings, thoughts and devotions.

Getting Even

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 ESV)

This Christianity thing is difficult. Especially when it comes to interacting and relating to those that slight us. We are, if possible and by all of our energy, to live peaceably with all people. We don’t repay evil with evil and this kicker, never avenge yourselves.

I grew up with a vision of vengeance gained from watching Red Dawn. If you are unfamiliar it was an eighties movie that had the Communist Russians invading North America but a small band of high schoolers upsets the occupying forces and freedom is once again a potential. Early in the film there is a scene where a couple of the boys visit their father in a prison camp and as they leave he yells to them, “avenge me! avenge me!” And they did.

That is how we live, wanting vengeance. Harm me and I am quick to harm you back or to work toward your harm. Say something awful about me and I will spend years heaping negativity on you. Judge me and I will unleash wrathful judgment on you… But this is not the way we are called to live and we are actually empowered for something much different.

Not only do we leave vengeance to the Lord, we feed our hungry enemy and quench his thirst. We go further in love, setting aside our natural inclination to get even and we tip the scales all the more further.

All because of Jesus. Because in our opposition to him, in our hatred and enemy status, he showed kindness. He sacrificed himself, gave his life for those calling for his murder. All so we could be in relationship with God and experience life as it was meant to be. In this work of Christ, we forgiven and in turn empowered to forgive others, and as far as it depends on us, live peaceably with all.

Today when the idea of vengeance comes to mind, let us return to the work of Christ, recall his treatment of us and gift of our new identity in him. Then in that identity, let’s leave vengeance to God and pursue overcoming evil with good.