Repayment – July 30, 2015

Romans 12:16- 18     …Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.…

1 Samuel 26:11     But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."

Proverbs 20:22     Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.

Proverbs 24:29     Do not say, "I'll do to them as they have done to me; I'll pay them back for what they did."

Matthew 5:24     leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

2 Corinthians 8:21     For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

1 Thessalonians 5:15     Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

God moves us forward by healing our past! Can he really? Can God heal this ancient hurt in my heart? Of course He can. In fact, God cares more about justice than we do. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:17-19, “Never pay back evil for evil. . .never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it.”

We fear the evildoer will slip into the night, unknown and unpunished. Escape to Fiji and sip mai tais on the beach. Not to worry. Scripture says, “God will repay,” not “God might repay.” God will execute justice on behalf of truth and fairness.

Unlike us, God never gives up on a person. Never. Long after we’ve moved on, God is still there, probing the conscience, stirring conviction, always orchestrating redemption. Fix your enemies? That’s God’s job.