I WILL NOT TAKE MY REVENGE

So the enemy took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorroh and all their provisions, and went their way, they also took Lot…. When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen of them and went in pursuit as far as Dan… then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot… Genesis 14- 11-16.

This is the first war that Abram was involved in and it was done to rescue his nephew Lot. Abram did not dwell on his old peeves and grudges against Lot and exclaim “Well he deserved it!! Serve him right for causing me all those troubles.” Rather he was prepared to forget the former troubles with Lot and immediately goes out in the middle of the night to rescue Lot.

Most of us would not let go of old grudges but not Abram. The past attitudes of his nephew were not to be brought up again and again throughout his lifetime. All that matters most was that his nephew was in trouble and needed his help. Imagine Lots surprise when Abram delivered him from the possibility of being sold into slavery or being killed with the sword. But one must also bear in mind that Abram after rescuing Lot did not invite him on his journey again. He had learnt his lesson and he was not about to put himself in a position where the old story repeats itself. This is a principle that every man must learn.

The Christian is not called to be so cold hearted so as to desert a brother in his hour of need. Have you ever observed the attitude of some Christians when they hear the moral failure of some brother or sister? Or worse still, they keep on whispering about it at every opportunity they get? Such an attitude does not come from the Spirit of Christ. It is a self righteous attitude. Of the many sins that Jesus spoke against, He reserved his most scathing remarks for the self righteous.

Is there someone who needs your help today? Maybe someone needs to hear from you. Perchance they have quit the Christian fellowship because some private sin has been exposed and they have quietly retired into their personal night. If you know of such a person, then go out into their night and seek them out. Make that phone call or write that letter - actions like this gladden the heart of God and brings hope back to the wounded souls.

We all know that life is incredibly short. I don’t have to convince you of that. So live to heal and bless. Don’t be a hateful and vengeful person. It is alarming that some believers can be destructive to other believers of the family of faith. If you see such a person who may seem superior to others in status belittling others, don’t participate or contribute. Do the right thing, withdraw from that brother- its time to leave for the sake of your own peace. Instead seek the person out with encouragement- it merits the approval of God in Jesus. Do it today!