The Marks of a Christian - Instead of Vengeance
Our lives as Christ-followers should have outward marks, which enable others to sense that we are different. Set apart. Living in the world, but not of the world.
Another way we mark ourselves as Christians? By what we do instead of delivering vengeance: “To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Romans 12:20a).
How is it possible to return harm with blessing? Hurt with provision? Pain with kindness? Because that’s what God did for us - He sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins. While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God returned our evil with the good of Jesus’s forgiveness.
We set ourselves apart from the world when we do the unexpected. And when it comes to vengeance, that means responding to evil with good.
When we choose to pursue reconciliation instead of retaliation, our enemies won't know what to do. And it’s then - when we unexpectedly bless instead of curse - that we show the world to whom we belong.
Perhaps then – by offering amazing grace - our enemy can become our friend.
And God's friend as well.