Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
One last point here. That the word Vengeance means to repay a deed and not defend someone from harm, let's look at the context
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
AMP Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.(2)
Note verse 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
IF possible. This is not an absolute command, but leaves room for situations where it is not possible.
Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.(3)
Notice avenge and vengeance here is defined as repayment for deeds done. Not defend against a deed, or prevent a deed or stop someone from doing a deed to someone else. It's about repayment
Lastly, did anyone notice this is actually an Old Testament verse?
Deu 32:35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.'
Deu 32:36 For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.
Yet within the context of the law NOT all killings were murder or wrong.
BTW know something funny? The greek word for coals in verse 20 is anthrax lol |
Great post, Prax.
Funny also that God mentions that he will vindicate His people, but those same people were sent by God to kill those (and their families, including women and children) to keep them from harming the children of God. This included commanding them to go when the enemy was sleeping, unarmed, and I think once the enemy was drunk!
God didn't even wait for the enemy to come to His people most of the time, but instead sent His people to take care of the enemy first.
Yes, God said He would have vengeance against those who harm His people, but in order to have vengeance, He sent those same people to do it for it many times.
Reminds me of the guy who believed that God only worked miraculously, so during a flood, he perched on his roof and prayed for God to save him.
A boat came by. No, he was waiting on God, but thanks anyway.
Another boat came by. He'd love to take the ride but he had faith in God that God Himself would save him.
A helicopter came by. He gave the same statements.
He died.
He got to heaven and God let him in according to his deeds. He turned and asked a simple question..."God, why didn't you save me?"
"I tried! I sent two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want?"
See, God uses man most of the time to do His works. How can God do works if we refuse to do them?
You think the enemy would have perished had Gideon told everyone to stay put, that it was God's fight, not theirs? Think the walls of Jericho would have fallen if God's people had just stayed at their camp and waited for God to announce that He'd done the deed Himself?
Faith without works is dead. You can have faith that God will protect your family, but you have to work to make sure that happens. This goes for any situation, be it on the street (you don't let your children play on the interstate while believing God will keep them safe, right?), in the park (you don't let your children ride their skateboards down a flight of steps while praying God keeps them safe, right?), while driving (you don't go to sleep at the wheel after praying that God keep your car on the road, right?) or while someone is harming or threatening your family (you don't stand there and call 911 and let them do God's work, right?).
Yet this is what I'm hearing from some of you.
Hybrid Mode
