daily java

Daily Java: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

I was just reading an article that said Amish businesses have a 95% success rate. One of the reasons give: they do not sue anyone.

We have become a revenge oriented society. We are ready to exact revenge at a moment’s notice. And of course, lawsuits are the main way to do it.

It is a mark of a culture that is having trouble that it takes offense so easily and wants to blame someone. We feel hurt and we want to hurt in return. I suppose that is a natural reaction, to strike out.

But the Bible tells us to do otherwise. Part of the Christian walk is to run somewhat counter to the normal human reaction to things. The normal human reaction is to be angry and give it back. The Bible says don’t.

Nothing is harder than this. Nothing is harder than to do something nice for someone who is not doing something nice for you.

And it is absolutely true that they will not appreciate what you have done. Do something nice for someone who is trying to hurt you and they will be so angry. That is because they know they are wrong, and they know you are right.

But it also on occasion makes far more of a positive impact than the force of your mighty right hand can. Your good treatment of someone who has wronged you cuts to their soul, and sometimes causes change.

I know this has happened in my own life and can point to others that have had this happen too.

Add to this the fact that there is a strong shame involved – the burning coals – and you will have made far more of a positive lasting impact on this person than you ever could have by doing otherwise.

When it comes down to it, retaliation only breeds retaliation. Compassion, on the other hand, if nothing else, breeds confusion, which tends to stop the escalation. That leaves room for speculation and maybe something positive.

Besides, God says he will take care of it, so why should you worry? Sure it hurt and that is natural. So is the anger you feel. But it never does any real good.
It’s hard to do, but God will take care of it. All you can do is show the love of Christ in your life. after all, he forgave people who were mistreating him even to killing him.

How can we as his people do any less.