Revenge vs. Grace

Proverbs 20:22 says, "Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you."

James 1:19-20 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."

Recently I was provoked to anger on account of close family members who were treated unfaily and taken advantage of in a business situation. Because I love them, and because they were victims I felt justified to be angry. I decided that I was going to take action. My family members, however, did not want me to fight for them. I couldn't understand it - why would anybody let themselves be bullied by someone, then not be willing to allow someone else to come to their defense? It just didn't make sense to me.

Then the Lord reminded me of that old verse from James, "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

But what about Jesus? He got angry in the temple and turned over the money changers tables?

"You aren't Jesus, and Jesus wasn't just a man. His righteousness IS the rightousness of God."

OK, so what should I do?

Then it hit me. I remembered the words of the Lord when he spoke to the multitudes that we read about in Matthew chapter 5 - the Sermon on the Mount.

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, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors (*who were apparently the epitome of spirtually destitute people in that day) do so? In this way you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
(from Matthew 5:43-48)

OK, Lord, so you want me to pray for those people and bless them? Are you kidding?

"Do you want to work your righteousness or Mine? The only way you'll work Mine is by following what My Son told you to do."

So I decided to give it a try. I prayed for the people who were causing such grief to my family. I admitted to God that I was upset with these people, then I confesed that I forgive them for what they did, and asked God to be graceful toward them. I also asked God to sincerely bless them, since Jesus told me to bless those who curse me. Since I still do not agree with their actions, I also asked God to help them realize that they cannot take advantage of others.

As it turned out, although my family members still suffered alot of stress through the ordeal, I believe God's will was done. The situation came to a amiable resolution for both parties, and my family was able obey Jesus by showing love toward these people who were actually cursing them.

I'll never forget the words that Jesus said in John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this the world will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."