2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too, should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
It is a common and natural human response to fight back. It is a Christ like act to refrain. Jesus taught us to love and forgive. In the Sermon on the Mount, he said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." That is not only counter-cultural, but counter to the natural desire of humans or animals. Yet, it is what Jesus did and what he calls us to. Of course, like any other blanket statement, there are some exceptions, but with those, we must be careful to follow Christ's example. We become indignant when others take advantage of us. We desire to take revenge and lash out at them for their unkind or mean act.
But God says, it is mine to avenge, I will repay. Notice how Paul lived this out in his relationship with the metalworker. Even though he strongly fought against Paul and his message, Paul waited upon the Lord for payback. He knew that in due time, the metalworker would get his just dues.
K and A, people are so quick to take revenge, or to hold grudges. But, you are called to be like Christ who, in his darkest hour, did not call on a legion of angels to protect him. No, he took the slaps, and the beard pulling, the lashes with bone and sticking of thorns in his head, and finally the pounding of the nails in his hands and feet, he took all that and said... Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. That his how you should be! Willing to forgive and willing to receive them back as friend.
Most likely you never be asked to go to the extremes as Christ did. But when you are taken advantage of in some way, no matter how minor, relax and let God respond in due time.
~Dad
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