Vengeance is MINE

Romans 12:19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Last Wednesday night (5/12/99) I preached about forgiveness.  About how we should forgive those that trespass against us.  There is a danger about forgiveness we should be aware of. That is the danger of believing forgiveness means there is no judgment to the offender.

Matthew 18:7 states: “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”

Luke 17:1 follows up this by stating, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

I want you to understand that it is possible to execute judgment against a person without there being personal animosity against that person.  The following scriptures should show us this fact.

1.      I Samuel 15:33 - Samuel hewed Agag into pieces before the Lord.

2.      God stops David (a man after God’s own heart) from seeking personal revenge.  I Samuel 25 - David and his men had protected Nabal from invaders, and when David asked for blessings in the time of harvest, Nabal refused.  David was going to kill Nabal and take what he needed when Abigail stopped him.  David was a man after God’s own heart and God stopped David from doing something he would later regret.

3.      II Samuel 1:3-10 - the story the Amalekite told David.  I believe the Amalekites story was untrue - the true version is found in I Samuel 31.  Remember the Bible always records what really and actually happened, whether a person told a lie or not, or whatever.  II Samuel 1:13-16 records David commanding the Amalekite to be killed for laying his hand on the Lord’s anointed.

4.      II Samuel 4:9-12 - David commanded his young men to kill the men that killed Ishbosheth.  This was not for personal vengeance, but for righteousness in the kingdom.

5.      (Church) - Matthew 18:15-20 - The church doesn’t have to be mad at a person to properly discipline them.  A parent doesn’t have to be mad at their child to properly discipline them.

6.      (Church) - Acts 5 - the death of Ananias and Sapphira was not done for personal vengeance, but because they should die because of their wickedness.  Their death would be a warning to others.

(Church) - II Tim. 4:14 - “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil, the Lord reward him according to his works.”  Paul wasn’t saying this out of the desire for personal vengeance, but because it was the truth.  Error isn’t overlooked, it is judged by God.  Error is not judged by us.