01/25/2024
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On a serious note ... 

Something has been bugging me for a long time now and it seems to keep getting worse. 

It's the acceptance of vengeance/revenge as if it were "normal" and "okay", even a "good" thing. 

We're starting to see that permeating our entire society. 

If a lawmaker votes the "wrong" way on an issue, or a judge makes the "wrong" ruling, or anyone does anything we don't like, we "unleash the dogs" on them with threats of violence against their lives, their homes or the lives of their families. 

THAT'S JUST WRONG! 

NO ONE has the right to THREATEN someone else. 

Free speech is to allow the free discussion of issues - NOT to threaten others with violence. 

Why are we putting up with this?

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The Bible tells us vengeance/revenge is a BAD thing - a REALLY, REALLY BAD THING.

And as Christians we should NOT engage in it - AT ALL - EVER!

Some quote "An eye for an eye" Exodus 21:23–27 calling for reciprocal justice, but the intent behind that verse is to RESTRICT compensation to the value of a loss incurred NOT a call for vengeance.

If someone dings your car you shouldn't smash their windshield.

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As Christians we are called to forgive - completely.

"Never repay one wrong with another, or one abusive word with another; instead, repay with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9 

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As Christians we believe God will carry out ultimate justice for us - it's not our place to do that.

"Never try to get revenge: leave that, my dear friends, to the Retribution. As scripture says: Vengeance is mine -- I will pay them back, the Lord promises.
And more: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. By this, you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head.
Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good." - Romans 12:18 

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Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount:

"'You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
But I [Jesus] say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well;
if someone wishes to go to law with you to get your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
And if anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him.
Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
'You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike." - Matthew 5:38-45

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These aren't just obscure verses, they are CENTRAL to our faith.

In the Lord's Prayer, the ONLY thing WE are called on to DO is to FORGIVE all others (everything  else in the prayer is asking God for stuff).

"... forgive us our trespasses  -- AS WE FORGIVE --  those who trespass against us" - Matthew 6:9–13

I don't see how anyone can claim to be a Christian and be seeking vengeance against anybody.

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I know there are people who couldn't care less what the Bible says about anything and that's their right.

But I would hope even they would agree that this is something Christianity "got right" even if they don't accept the rest of it.

Forgiving others is just a better way to live ones life.

vengeance poisons the heart and mind of the avenger.

It's a BAD thing - a REALLY, REALLY BAD THING.

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Stay Jazzed!
--Tom Swezey