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Understanding the depth of God’s love, frees us to release our desire for vengeance.
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38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:38-48
Parents have innumerable opportunities to demonstrate love toward their children. When someone says something mean or hurtful to a child, a parent can hold them close and soothe their emotional pain. Knowing they’re loved, children can forgive and begin to forget the wrong they’ve experienced. Thus, experiencing love, deepens a child’s trust in their parent’s love and ultimately releases them into the freedom of forgiveness.
God’s love for us is far greater than a parent’s love for their child. As God’s children, we’re truly and deeply loved by him, and absolutely nothing has the power to change or remove his love from us. In Romans 12:14-21, Paul describes how Christians should reflect this same kind of love toward one another. Paul invites us to go against cultural norms and release the vengeance we feel by going to God with it. We can receive the strength of his love to then offer such counter-cultural love to those who do us harm. With God’s love, we might even have the power to meet their physical needs.
Understanding the depth of God’s love, frees us to release our distresses, frees us to forgive those who’ve done us wrong, and frees us to live in an abundance of trust. With this banner of freedom, we can live everyday with assurance – knowing God always cares for us, protects us and his perfect justice will fight for us. Before going about your day, stop for a few minutes to sit in the thought of God’s love for you. Write out a prayer of what God’s love means for your day and your tomorrow.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty,
but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,
for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink;
for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
– Romans 12:14-21
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By Rich Obrecht
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