4. Seek revenge sweetly = Respond kindly.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 9:14-21
Such a different way to relate to the world than our natural tendencies and our experiences with others!
Paul says if you follow Jesus, you are part of a new family that does things very differently. We are to live in harmony and do what is right in the eyes of everybody. Live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on you. There will be some people that do not want to reconcile, so then how will you treat them?
When conflict arises (and it will), bless those who persecute you. Do not take revenge but feed your hungry enemy, give drink to your enemy who thirsts, overcome evil with good.
Sweet revenge means to do the opposite of what you feel. Ironically, the person that hates you hates that!
Some of us have a supportive community around us, but many of us do not. If you do, then create room for one more.
