Vengence is Mine ...the Wayfarer 7/5/19
Vengence is Mine
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” King James Version (KJV)
Romans 12:19
Vengeance, hatred and jealousy go hand in hand, equally destructive, equally divisive, and, equally refusing to give space in the heart of man for anything else.. leaving behind only charred bits of what should have been, wrapped in greed that in turn reignites the fires of vengeance and her sisters.
Vengeance. too often begins with jealousy over petty and paltry things so miniscule that they go unnoticed as they build within the heart of man while ripping down the walls of love, joy hope and grace that should be the building blocks from which guidance may be taken that will assuredly rest within the will of God if given chance to expand and force out those things that are so destructive.
Jealousy allowed Eve to accept the lie given her that grew to greed and the desire to be equal with God himself, despite the warnings given that the path taken could lead only to death.
Vengence reared its ugly head as Cain slew Able, prompted again by jealousy of the relationship attained with the Creator, and the greed that could allow for nothing higher than his own contribution, though that contribution differed so much from that of his brother.
Too often forgotten is the fact that any vengeance that is necessary is noted by none less than God Himself when pleas are made for GODLY vengeance.
God's wrath is HIS own tool to be used only when HE deems it is needed, not when mankind takes offense at the machinations of other men.
Christ came to us with love, and will indeed return with vengeance for those who refute the need for that love.
Vengeance. too often begins with jealousy over petty and paltry things so miniscule that they go unnoticed as they build within the heart of man while ripping down the walls of love, joy hope and grace that should be the building blocks from which guidance may be taken that will assuredly rest within the will of God if given chance to expand and force out those things that are so destructive.
Jealousy allowed Eve to accept the lie given her that grew to greed and the desire to be equal with God himself, despite the warnings given that the path taken could lead only to death.
Vengence reared its ugly head as Cain slew Able, prompted again by jealousy of the relationship attained with the Creator, and the greed that could allow for nothing higher than his own contribution, though that contribution differed so much from that of his brother.
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry out day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless. when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on earth?
(Luke 18: 7 &8)
Too often forgotten is the fact that any vengeance that is necessary is noted by none less than God Himself when pleas are made for GODLY vengeance.
God's wrath is HIS own tool to be used only when HE deems it is needed, not when mankind takes offense at the machinations of other men.
Christ came to us with love, and will indeed return with vengeance for those who refute the need for that love.
John 3:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It is not intended that we use vengeance as a tool to, "get back", at those we feel have wronged us, rather we should continue to follow the Godly guidance given by Paul, even as he endured persecution for preaching the guidance given by Jesus himself as stated in the "golden rule" and found again in the model prayer given us to find the truth of forgiveness' necessity for our own forgiveness.
Romans 12:21
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Luke 6:31-36 King James Version (KJV)
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Matthew 6:12-15 King James Version (KJV)
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is indeed a hard "pill to swallow"!
It is, however, exactly what is expected of us by God Himself.
When hearts harden, when the primary purpose of life becomes vengeance, when greed and jealousy allow no love to exist for anything but self, that soul grows ever darker, ever more tortured ever farther form the peace grace and Love that is God.
Vengeance appears to be easy, and is, in fact easily followed when sought.
Love, Godly love, which requires us to be different from the rest of the world, is difficult, yet remaining a requirement of our Lord and Savior.
Familial love...marital love...love of friends, love of any kind is impossible if vengeance, greed and jealousy are allowed to steal the peace, grace and love offered by God through Christ replacing the fullness of that love with the emptiness of a soul doomed for eternity in the absence of what is intended for that soul.
What is intended is the love given by the Father that provides eternal life without sorrow or trial of any kind.
That Love remains available to any and all who find the redemption given in turn for repentance provided by Christ's own love for us.
Treasure sought is treasure found. As long as the treasures of this world are more important to any one, any people, any nation, than the treasure of eternal life given only through the blood sacrifice of our Savior, then Vengeance, greed, jealousy and death of the soul itself must follow suit.
Vengeance begets vengeance, hatred begets hatred, greed begets greed, jealousy begets jealousy, evil begets evil.
Vengeance is never satisfied of itself, nor is greed ever sated or jealousy put aside without effort and assistance found only in forgiveness as required by Christ.
Life without love is meaningless, purposeless and without hope.
Hope is only found in Christ through the purpose He has given each and all to follow the single commandment left us by Him:
John 13:34-35 King James Version (KJV)
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
It is that Love I would that each and all find, it is the only WAY, TRUTH and LIFE which I would proclaim for all who would hear and heed both warning an promise delivered by my Savior.
2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer
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