Revenge will Make Your Stomach Hurt

As a Christian, it's easy for us to look down on other folks.
We'll tell ourselves, "Look at the way they are living their lives, I am glad I'm better than that."
I will admit, that thought has popped into my mind many, many times. I am as guilty as the Pharisee in this parable.
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I an not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." — Luke 18:9-12
I mean, it feels good to feel like that, but pay heed to the words of Christ, which can cut you to the core.
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." — Luke 18:13-14
That's a tough pill to swallow, I know, but we are vile creatures to say the least. Even in something noble we may do, we seek our advantage and try to remind others of what we have done.
There's another aspect of this as well. Many times we look at people getting away with things. When we find ourselves in the economic climate we are in, it's easy to look at people who haven't put their faith in the Lord seemingly getting ahead in life, living the life of luxury.
We see them and we burn in anger. We know they steal from the people around them, yet the arm of justice cannot touch them.
We see men of power, people in high places, neglect the commandments of God and serve at the later of Baal. We want them to pay and we want to see it Now! At least I do, but there again, God has a purpose I don't understand.
There must have been similar circumstances for the church in Thessalonica, as much as we can glean from the inspired words of the Apostle Paul.
"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perserverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well." — 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
Alright, glad to hear it. It's about time.
Hold on a minute now, and let's finish what Paul was saying.
"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." — 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
That kind of throws a wrench in our plan for revenge.
There is hope for the worst of sinners and believe me when I say I am one. We must always remember the mercy of our God.
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:8-9
Oh how we long to see the wicked get what's coming to them, but let me tell you this folks, without Christ we will all get what is coming to us — there simply is no escaping it.
There is one unpardonable sin in this world; and that is not accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
God hates sin, but the blood of Christ will cover all others if we only accept it.
There are a lot of folks out there who don't want to admit that. They will say there are many ways to God, but it isn't so.
Jesus calls everybody to him. For the ones who don't come, they will be punished, but we shouldn't relish that for anybody.
Instead of wishing doom upon them, pray for them that they might come to Christ and experience true life. You never know, that one person might be the one where God says that's enough Son, go and gather your bride.
Oh how I long for that day to be with my Savior. I may be tomorrow or it may be in a hundred years, but I believe with all of my heart Christ is coming for us soon. Are you ready?