Don’t put them on your list!

April 9, 2007 Matthew Keedy Clifton Christian Growth

Once upon a time there was a woman who had been bitten by a rabid dog, and since she neglected to go to the doctor in time, she was advised by her physician to write her last wishes, since it was very possible that she could die from rabies. She spent so long with pencil and paper that the doctor finally said something about how long her last will and testament would be. “Will!” she snorted. “I’m writing a list of the people I’m going to bite!”

Sometimes human beings are so eager to take vengeance upon others, that we forget the danger that we ourselves are in. Often the things we get the most passionate about are things others do to offend us, and our feelings that we want to “get them back.”

The Bible, of course, tells us that we should leave room for the God’s vengeance, Romans 12:19. In fact, there is a whole list of things we should keep in mind in dealing with others in this chapter:

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” ““ Romans 12:17-21.

No matter what our enemy does to us, we are to return only good. In so doing, we overcome evil!