Paul sent an important message to you. It originated in the heart of God. These words are in Romans 12: “Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord“ (Romans 12:17-19). Please read this scripture in your own Bible.
The following series of events actually happened: A man borrowed his neighbor’s hydraulic jack. When the man didn’t return the jack, the owner asked him about it. The borrower said, “It was stolen.”
Suspicious, early the next morning, the owner went into the man’s garage. Searching for his “stolen” hydraulic jack, he found it hidden in the man’s garage. What’s this?! How would you react to such betrayal of neighborly trust? What would YOU have done?
The next day, the borrower found all four tires on his car were FLAT! Did that end the feud? Nope!
The following morning, the jack owner, planning to drive to work, saw his car’s windshield smashed. WHAT next?!
It isn't wrong to seek justice, but justice is decided by a higher authority, hoping to resolve conflict. Justice wants hearts to change, hopeful that in the future, a different course of action will be taken.
Actions such as those described above are done out of hateful revenge. That isn’t God’s way of settling disputes.
Have you ever been shown mercy? It felt pretty good, didn’t it? Mercy is when a person in authority gives you another chance after you’ve violated a trust. In other words, mercy is NOT receiving what you deserve.
Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). When Paul is describing the church, he includes the attribute of mercy, saying that God’s person is “the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:8).
Remember, it isn’t wrong to seek justice when you’ve been wronged. It can be wrong if your standard of judgment is morally unacceptable (Matthew 7:1-5).
“Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19). He will!
People may not know who did wrong, but the Lord always knows!