VENGEANCE IS MINE
20/06/13 17:53
"Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord" is a common phrase used by people who have been done wrong by someone else. I have two issues with this phrase: first, it's unBiblical in the manner used. We'll get to this in a moment. The second issue I have, in the manner used, it is vindictive. We, as Christ followers, should not wish the vengeance of God upon anyone. If we understood the power, we would understand this should not be wished. Yet, if we do good to those who persecute us (Matt 5:44; Romans 12:14), we then look for the opportunity, not for vengeance of God upon them, but for the Grace to be revealed to them (Romans 1:5).
So, what is the context of this statement?
Hebrews 10:30-31
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In context, if we, as followers of Christ who have received the knowledge of salvation, practice sin, there is no more sacrifice for that sin (vs 26). We know sin by the Law, which is the foundation of the definition of sin, when we know this and continue to practice what the Law says not to practice, we then have nothing to look forward to but hell (vs 27). Because those who knew the Old Covenant, if they rejected the conditions of the Covenant, they died without mercy (vs 28). The Old Covenant is an example and shadow and shows us what is within the Renewed Covenant, thus those who know what is true and do not abide by that truth, rejecting the conditions of this Covenant, at the end will die a much worse punishment than those in the day of the Old Covenant (vs 29).
Verse 29 brings a concern to me, for the simplistic manner which salvation is taught and "received" makes it a simple or common thing. Thus, people proclaiming to be "saved" continue in a walk which they know to be in contradiction to the Word of God. In this, they trample the Son of God underfoot. They insult the Spirit of Grace, which teaches us to deny sin and worldly pleasures, and to live godly and righteously (Titus 2:11-14); which is obedience (Romans 6:16).
What we see then is that those who consider the sacrifice of Y'shua as a common thing, in that they continue to live in sin which they know they are to turn from, or they return to the sin they repented of, the vengeance of God is upon them and their unfaithfulness will be repaid to them. This is also witness by the children of Israel, who were saved, yet a faithful God who promised them a land, repaid their unfaithfulness in like manner; in which that which was promised they did not receive.
So, what is the context of this statement?
Hebrews 10:30-31
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In context, if we, as followers of Christ who have received the knowledge of salvation, practice sin, there is no more sacrifice for that sin (vs 26). We know sin by the Law, which is the foundation of the definition of sin, when we know this and continue to practice what the Law says not to practice, we then have nothing to look forward to but hell (vs 27). Because those who knew the Old Covenant, if they rejected the conditions of the Covenant, they died without mercy (vs 28). The Old Covenant is an example and shadow and shows us what is within the Renewed Covenant, thus those who know what is true and do not abide by that truth, rejecting the conditions of this Covenant, at the end will die a much worse punishment than those in the day of the Old Covenant (vs 29).
Verse 29 brings a concern to me, for the simplistic manner which salvation is taught and "received" makes it a simple or common thing. Thus, people proclaiming to be "saved" continue in a walk which they know to be in contradiction to the Word of God. In this, they trample the Son of God underfoot. They insult the Spirit of Grace, which teaches us to deny sin and worldly pleasures, and to live godly and righteously (Titus 2:11-14); which is obedience (Romans 6:16).
What we see then is that those who consider the sacrifice of Y'shua as a common thing, in that they continue to live in sin which they know they are to turn from, or they return to the sin they repented of, the vengeance of God is upon them and their unfaithfulness will be repaid to them. This is also witness by the children of Israel, who were saved, yet a faithful God who promised them a land, repaid their unfaithfulness in like manner; in which that which was promised they did not receive.
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