“Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge” (Resolution 14).
In this resolution we can see the heart of a man that desires to love all for the sake of His name and not act from selfish motives. Taking revenge is not an act that reflects love for God and our enemy, but reflects a person that loves himself more than anything or anyone else. Revenge is a self-centered act as if one is the true God. “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. When we take revenge, we are playing God in meting out personal punishment which is really going over what justice require. We are to love our neighbor and leave the rest to God. Instead, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” (Rom 12:17). Even more, “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18). Rather than take revenge, man is to love. Returning good for evil and love for hatred is what is to some degree what is meant by being meek as in the Beatitudes (Mat 5) and is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5). When a person resolves never to do anything out of revenge, that person is resolved not to act like the devil and to act like Christ. Christ died for His enemies. This is submission to the sovereignty and love of God who allows and brings all trials to us, even the people that abuse us out of evil hearts and yet God intends it for good.
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