Justice, Whose Justice

Scripture:
Revelation 6:9-11 (ESV)

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Devotional:

The martyrs are ready for justice.  In the end God’s justice will prevail.  How is your heart?  Do you cry out for revenge?  Do you cry out for justice?  Whose justice are you seeking?  Is it your own or God’s?

It is normal to want justice served when we are wronged.  We just have to be careful not to cross the line into revenge.  The Bible states in Romans 12:19 (ESV), “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”  Wanting to extract your own “justice” or revenge you can eat at you.  The best thing to do is to let it go and give it to God.  Let him take care of it.  Instead of seeking revenge give forgiveness.  Your burdens will be a lot more manageable.  Jesus also tells us to forgive.  Forgiveness is as much for us as for the offending person.

The next time you want your justice or revenge give forgiveness instead.  It can be hard but keep in mind if you wrong someone you want them to forgive you.