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By Rev Don Rivers
As we start to look at the topic of forgiveness let us first understand who we are. As we have discussed, we don’t see the full picture or know the whole story. Yet we feel we have enough information to judge. From there we want revenge, restitution, and justice. We might do well to release that desire and extend grace. The burden of revenge is too great for us to bear. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I don’t get mad, I get even! I know some folks who live that way, are we one of them? We want the right to get back at those who harm us. We want to see them get what we think they deserve. Many times we want to be the one that decides the price that is paid and exact revenge.
Getting even, claiming our rights, making sure we are treated fairly are all things each one of us expect. Our country was built on the premise that we each have certain unalienable rights. When we are mistreated or taken advantage of we want justice.
What is justice? We want it for others but we prefer forgiveness, grace and understanding for ourselves. I remember a meeting I had once between a veteran and a young driver. The young driver was brash and bold. He drove his race car without regard for the other competitors. This veteran was on the receiving end of one of these acts of defiance. It could have cost him his life.
By all accounts the veteran could have done many things to that young driver and be totally justified. Instead, there was a tone of forgiveness in his voice. He extended grace and understanding. He talked calmly to the young man. He explained how in his early days he drove the same way. When someone drove him hard he would respond harder. He didn’t care who it was. He shared how one day he intentionally crashed someone and they got hurt. He explained how difficult it was to go and tell the family what he had done. From that day on he lived and raced with a different agenda.
The veteran explained to the young driver that in his younger days he would have done the same thing but now knowing what he knows, he responds differently. He told the young man he was forgiven and encouraged him to change the way he drove because he didn’t want him to have to go through what he did.
Sometimes we want revenge when we should show compassion. Listen to what Christ has to say about it;
Matthew 5:38-42; “You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Turn the other cheek, this is where it originated. Jesus gave us that instruction when we are faced with the prospect of getting even. This is a very difficult instruction for us to deal with because it puts the control out of our hands. We want to decide what judgment is exercised against those who mistreat us.
You see Jesus wants us to realize that we need to turn it over to God. He wants to release us of the burden of trying to control things. Some of us are control freaks and we need to be in control of everything. Jesus wants us to relinquish control of revenge to God and live free of that burden.
Romans 12:17-19; NLT; Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
If you don’t think it is a burden try releasing it. Let the day come to you. Don’t try to control things, just let them happen. Let the other guy go first. Let someone cut in front of you. If you begin to get uncomfortable then you are a control freak. It is a burden.
Forgiveness is a difficult thing, only when we understand our reluctance to completely forgive can we start to fully understand what Christ did for us on the cross.
Luke 23:33-34; NLT; When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
The burden of judgment, revenge, belongs in one place, God’s hands. He alone knows the entire situation. He alone understands. He alone knows what tomorrow holds. He alone has the wisdom to decide our fate. He has chosen to provide the option of forgiveness. Will we?
Don’t repay evil with evil, turn the other cheek. Do the unexpected, don’t get even. Try it out this week and see if things don’t turn out different. They will and we will be released from our desire to control things, our burden of wanting justice. We will be out of the revenge business.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You
