We are called to be Christ-like (Romans 8:29) imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). But there is one, very particular, way in which we are NOT to imitate Him or be like Him: vengeance. Vengeance belongs to Him (Romans 12:19). He maintains proprietary rights and allows no infringement or artistic license. It is His. When the Bible commands us to forgo vengeance, it does so by telling us why: because vengeance belongs to God and He will repay. So the reason we are to withhold our retribution is because God's retribution is coming and we must place our faith and trust in it. We must believe in His promise. Believing here means we do not take revenge AND that we trust that we will see His vengeance perfectly meted out. Someone has to die. Either God will save our enemies by placing their sin on to Jesus' cross OR He will punish them with unquenchable fire and indomitable worm for all eternity. We trust God by acknowledging that vengeance is necessary AND by allowing Him to administer it on our behalf.
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