Never Pay Back Evil With More Evil

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of justice and revenge through the lens of our Christian faith. We began with a light-hearted story about a college prank war, which served as a metaphor for the cycle of revenge that can easily ensnare us. This cycle, while often starting in good fun, can escalate and lead to unintended consequences. We are reminded that as beings created in the image of God, we have an inherent sense of justice. This divine fingerprint compels us to make wrong things right, but it can also be twisted by the world into a desire for personal revenge.

We delved into Romans 12:17, where Paul instructs us not to repay evil with evil but to live honorably. Paul, who endured immense suffering for his faith, including imprisonment and physical abuse, speaks from a place of deep experience. His life exemplifies the call to rise above the natural inclination for revenge and instead reflect the character of Christ, who forgave even as He was crucified.

We also examined the real-life story of Victoria Ruvolo, who chose forgiveness over vengeance after a traumatic incident. Her decision to show compassion to the young man who caused her harm exemplifies the transformative power of grace. This story challenges us to consider how we can respond to those who wrong us with love and forgiveness, rather than seeking retribution.

In practical terms, we discussed two steps to help us live out this call to forgiveness: slowing down to think and plan our responses, and praying for our enemies. These steps require intentionality and a commitment to embodying the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. By doing so, we not only honor God but also become a testament to His grace and mercy in a world that often seeks revenge.