January 30 Devotion - Vengeance is Mine says The Lord

Vengeance is Mine says The Lord

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
      “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

فَإِنَّ أَمْثَالَ هَؤُلاَءِ هُمْ رُسُلٌ دَجَّالُونَ، عُمَّالٌ مَاكِرُونَ، يُظْهِرُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَظْهَرِ رُسُلِ الْمَسِيحِ.

 ¹⁴ وَلاَ عَجَبَ! فَالشَّيْطَانُ نَفْسُهُ يُظْهِرُ نَفْسَهُ بِمَظْهَرِ مَلاَكِ نُورٍ.

 ¹⁵ فَلَيْسَ كَثِيراً إِذَنْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ خُدَّامُهُ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَظْهَرِ خُدَّامِ الْبِرِّ. وَإِنَّ عَاقِبَتَهُمْ سَتَكُونُ عَلَى حَسَبِ أَعْمَالِهِمْ. لاَ تَنْتَقِمُوا لأَنْفُسِكُمْ، أَيُّهَا الأَحِبَّاءُ، بَلْ دَعُوا الْغَضَبَ لِلهِ، لأَنَّهُ قَدْ كُتِبَ: «لِيَ الانْتِقَامُ، أَنَا أُجَازِي، يَقُولُ الرَّبُّ». ²⁰ وَإِنَّمَا «إِنْ جَاعَ عَدُوُّكَ فَأَطْعِمْهُ، وَإِنْ عَطِشَ فَاسْقِهِ. فَإِنَّكَ، بِعَمَلِكَ هَذَا تَجْمَعُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ جَمْراً مُشْتَعِلاً».

2 Cor. 11:13–15         Romans 12:19-20

Deceitful workers - Impostors. They are crafty, and fraudulent, and hypocritical. To succeed, it was needful as far as possible to undermine the influence of the true apostles, and take their place in the confidence of the people.

These deceitful workers are here today, and believe it or not, have infiltrated into some churches.

We are taught not to avenge against any imposter. To "avenge" is to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender. The command is, to avoid a spirit and purpose of revenge.

However, this command is not to be so understood that we may not seek for "justice" in a regular and proper way before civil tribunals. If our character is assaulted, if we are robbed and plundered, if we are oppressed contrary to the law of the land, Christianity does not require us to submit to such oppression and injury without seeking our rights in an orderly and regular manner. If it did, it would be to give a premium to iniquity, to countenance wickedness, and require a person, by becoming a Christian, to abandon his/her rights.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, protect every Christian from the teachings of false apostles and protect us from the deceitful workers who wish to lead us away from the path Jesus outlined for us. While I pray for protection I also pray for everyone, anywhere, who has felt oppression and injury because of their Christian faith. I pray that they be healed and be able to forgive and act in a Christ-like way. That pleases You God, and also may bring the deceitful person(s) to want to learn about our faith. Judgment and vengeance is Yours Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Jesus Loves you

In Him,

Wagdi Henein