God Has Commanded for Love, Not Vengeance

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

God’s command is a command that is of grace and mercy, not bitterness, malice, and hate.

Today’s devotional reading: 2 Thess. 1:3-12

God has not commanded us to physically fight for Him. God hasn’t commanded any of His children to avenge Him. Why does God need anyone to avenge Him when He is alive and well? Why would God need anyone to fight for Him when He is the Sovereign over His creation?

To the church in Rome, Paul wrote, “Do not avenge yourselves, but rather, give place to wrath (Rom. 12:19).” Yes, you are going to be tried, tested, persecuted, spitefully used, and abused, but you don’t have to see vengeance against those who move against you. As the Lord said, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them (Deut. 32:35).”

There is much talk from religious zealots who believe they are fighting a holy war. When it comes to such a train of thought, we must not only remember that God said that vengeance belongs to Him, but we must also remember what He has commanded of His children.

Christ taught that rather than an “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth,” one should not resist (fight hand-to-hand) an evil person. Christ taught that one should turn the other cheek to one who strikes their right cheek. Christ taught that we are to love our enemies and bless those who curse us, hate us, use us, and persecute us. When God is your avenger, you need not do anything except find the way to maintain your peace.