Don't Get Even, Just Love

Most of us has heard the phrase, "Don't get mad, get even." I'm guessing that most of us have also followed this saying and gotten even with someone. Well what would you say if I told you that we aren't suppose to get even, for that is God's duty. Romans 12:19 says, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." God knows everything someone has done against you. He sees all the pain that other people cause you. He sees it all and one day he will make it right. 

So then what are we suppose to do when we want to get even with someone, you are to love them. Luke 6:27-31 says, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." The first key phrase is to "love your enemies." Most times when we have enemies, we want to see them crash and burn, but instead we are suppose to love them. This could be smiling to them in the hallway, or sitting with them at lunch. The rest of the sentence leads back to the loving of our enemies. If we love them we will pray for them and bless them and do good for them. 

The rest of the passage shows how we are not to take revenge for our self. If someone was to come and slap you in the face, most of us will turn around and slap them right back. The passage is saying that we shouldn't fight back, but we are to let them do what they are doing. By not fighting back, you are showing them love and that kind of love will throw them off their game. Most people aren't use to having someone love them when they are trying to hurt you. Lastly we are to treat people like we want to be treated. If you don't like to be hurt, then don't go hurting others. If you like others to love you, then you need to love others. So when we want to take revenge out on someone, think about how we could love the person who is hurting you.