Sep 15, 2018
When we are wronged, our immediate reaction and usual response is to try to avenge ourselves of any perceived injustices. But, God tell us to instead put vengeance in His hands, for vengeance belongs to Him. Justice belongs to Him. Rather, God desires that we would show mercy to our enemies.
How could God possibly expect us to show mercy? Because He shows us great mercy through Jesus. Though we as sinners deserve God’s justice, and therefore we deserve only the fiery wrath of God, through His Son Jesus, God shows us mercy. Jesus took our sin upon Himself at the Cross, and so when we place our faith in Him, our sins are condemned at the Cross. The wrath of God that we were owed is instead poured out upon Jesus at the Cross. This is the very heart of the Good News – rather than receiving justice from God, we can receive mercy through Jesus.
So, God expects us to show our flesh and blood enemies mercy. Spiritual enemies, like the devil and his demons, are shown no mercy. But, our fellow man is to be shown mercy, as much as we are able, that they might be led to Christ. We see a wonderful example of this in the life of David when he was being pursued by King Saul, but again and again shows great mercy when he can instead take vengeance.