Being generous with our discernment: being prudent, circumspect, not allowing our anger to flash, but exhibiting self-control (Ps 4:4; Prov 1:3-4; 14:8, 15, 17, 29; 15:1, 18; 29:22) discerning who it is who assails you, how, and why, and the possible reasons behind it. We are to act with agape informed and fueled mercy (Mat 5:7; Luke 6:35-36) - loving mercy that empowers forgiveness, patience, and forbearance - enabling us to act kindly toward the one who has harmed us (Rom 2:4).
All of this will lead us on the path of righteousness (Ps 23; 2Pet 1:1) - wanting God’s best for them: considering them as Christ Jesus considered us, me: empathy, leading to sympathy, leading to compassion, leading to comfort:
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good, but even if you should suffer for what is right: you are blessed.
1Peter 3:13-14 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”
Jesus is preparing us for this new way, the way of the kingdom, the way of God: this is not your father’s tooth for a tooth….
Matthew 5:38-42
Spirit-empowered self-control that leads away from a selfish, evil reaction, to a God-directed, loving response: It does not mean we are utterly passive, it means we strive to not hold onto resentment and bitterness, or seek revenge or insist on being compensated, but we refuse to be enslaved by their attitude and behavior toward us by being possessed and consumed by their offenses and our “need” to see myself vindicated, and that, by my standards, according to my sense of justice. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
We are to resist evil: not only the evil perpetrated on us, but, our evil (reaction) toward them: Matt 5:39; 1Cor 6:7; 1Pet 2:19-23
Romans 12:17-21 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord…”.
We are to be careful not to take revenge… to leave from for God’s wrath… what IS His right just, and fair (Pr 1:3; 2:9 19:20) justice - according to what is true
Romans 2:1-3 “1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.”
Instead, to those who know better, we can challenge their definition of righteousness in relation to their behavior - though still resisting avenging themselves.
John 18:22-23 “22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. 23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
Acts 23:1-3 “1Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
And to those who do not know better, we bid them the Father’s forgiveness, and mercy, taking into consideration the nature of who they are, what it is, they know, and what are their compelling reasons, as wrong as they might be, and offer mercy.
Jesus on the cross to the soldiers bidding his father’s forgiveness
Luke 23:34 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
What does God’s righteous judgment, His wrath, look like?
Romans 12:20-21
“20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
It is important that we see our heart’s intent - even in leaving room for God’s wrath. Our motivation needs to be that God’s avenging us, will prayerfully, hopefully, lead to the offender’s repentance, redemption, salvation, and purification - not merely to see ourselves righted.
And that our mercy, our acting just like Jesus and our heavenly Father, Jesus’ character leaking from us, will lead them to conviction, leading them to sorrow and repentance (2Cor 7:10)- not gleefully looking for their punishment, but, humbly beseeching God on their behalf, that they might be forgiven and saved, and if saved already, restored and made whole.
Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die
