As Far As It Depends Upon You

"Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:17-21

Have you ever been treated unfairly? Or have you ever treated someone unfairly out of spite or jealousy or maybe a sinful attitude like bigotry or your own insecurities. If you are the source of the discord - the responsibility to make amends depends upon you. And you, for the sake of your faith and obedience to the Word of God, should do what is necessary to be reconciled to that person. To set things right if you will.  But what if you are not the offender but the one who has been offended. What then?

I have had that happen to me a number of times since I have been involved in ministry. On one particular occasion, I went to a friend and spiritual mentor to seek counsel. I knew what my old nature was crying out to do - but I also knew that was not the path I should follow or the voice I should listen to. My friend's counsel - "Do nothing - let God vindicate you". But forgive the offender. Forgiveness is something that you can do independent of the other person. Forgiveness opens the door to reconciliation and restored relationship. As far as it depends upon you. 

Having said that there are two facets to this. First is when the offender is another Christian. Someone who is capable of understanding and responding to Spiritual Truth. Who has been sealed by the same Spirit. The other is when the offender is not a Christian. Incapable of understanding and responding to spiritual truth. Totally dependent upon personal will.

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." - Matthew 7:6

In other words, although you live by Christian principles, don't expect non-Christians to respond well to a spiritual act on your part. That does not mean that you don't do all you can to restore the relationship. Just understand the complexities of living in a fallen world. As an alien you speak a different life language than the person you are trying to set things right with.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14

With respect to the incident I referred to with the other Christian. I heeded the counsel I received. Did all I could to seek peace but was rebuffed at every turn.  We were never reconciled - sad to say. My forgiving in spite of the response of the other person has nothing to do with their response and everything to do with my obedience to the Word.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:12-14

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone