Thought For Today - August 28 - What Did Jesus Say ? - About Seeking Revenge And Getting Even ?

Thought For Today - August 28
 What did Jesus say ? -  About Seeking Revenge And Getting Even?
By: Robert A. Searles

    The sinful human nature in mankind seeks revenge and wants to "get even". as it were, for every little wrong done unto us. The law of the old testament declared that for every wrong deed done to someone, the wrong doer was to receive the same thing done to him: an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. If you slap my face, I will slap yours, if you kill my dog, I will kill yours, etc.. The attitude was that if I can't have something, I don't want you to have it either, thus: Envy, strife, and contention.

    Unfortunately, this same attitude prevails in the world today, even among some Christians, I am ashamed to report. We are always complaining like school children about what is fair, and that which seems to be unfair to us.

    When Jesus came, he taught a whole new set of rules and standards  to which God's redeemed children ought to adhere . Instead of revenge and getting even, we ought to be more ready to forgive and pardon one another, even as God does for us through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We ought to have pity and feel sorry for the one who does us wrong, and if possible bring him into the fold of the redeemed of God.

Jesus said:"Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if a man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also, and whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away." Matthew 5: 38-42.

Why not go the extra mile, and show mercy?

    The apostle Paul, speaking to Christians said: "Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another, why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" 1 Corinthians 6:7

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