Romans 12:19-22
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore; ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This morning as I drove around taking care of errands, I was listening to the radio. The opera, Il Trovatore, was about to start and the commentator was giving a synopsis. I was struck by the violence that the opera portrayed. Vengeance was graphic in which several characters, including infants, were burned to death.
I know this was just an opera based on fictional characters, but the demand for vengeance revealed the wickedness of the human heart. Even in our modern day, perhaps even more so than in times past, there is a loud demand for vengeance.
The Bible does speak about getting even. It appears in today’s passage of Scripture. In order to get even with someone who has become your adversary, here are the steps to take: Feed him and give him something to drink if he is thirsty.
And here is the result of treating your enemy this way: “ … you will heap coals of fire on his head.” That is getting even God’s way. Let God fight your battle for you. All you have to do is overcome evil with good!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil