Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Romans part 193 - Life in the Body 18

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Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, loved ones, but give room for God's wrath - for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says Adonai.

Paul is quoting a well known verse from the Torah, as he brings his discourse on how we are to live with each other to a close. Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and payback, for the time when their foot staggers. Surely their day of disaster is near - what is prepared rushes on them Every issue of life can be reduced to one question, "Who is on the throne?"

When a person "takes vengeance," then that person is on the throne. The "throne" is the throne of judgment (pronouncing verdict). A courthouse is called in Hebrew a Beit Din, meaning "house of judgment." There are two levels of judgment in a court of law, the trial and the verdict.

Gathering information is the use of good judgment. To know right from wrong is not the verdict. We don't sentence anyone to hell, that is God's purview. He alone brings conviction. However; we can and should be His faithful representatives and point out the consequences of violating God principles.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the house of God. If judgment begins with us first, what will be the end for those who disobey the Good News of God?

What would God's kingdom be like with a bunch of demigods usurping the One True and Living God's authority and power? When we say the Shema, it is a declaration of the Echad (oneness) of God. He's not just first in line, there is no line! God stands alone as the supreme decider.

Whenever we say, "Give Him glory," we are honoring His oneness. Isaiah 42:8 I am Adonai - that is My Name! My glory I will not give to another, Or My praise to graven images. So let us trust God to do justice, and not burden ourselves with a false witness of wrecking vengeance. Shalom shalom, in Yeshua's name, amen.