“Vengeance Is Mine . . .

“Vengeance Is Mine . . .

I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. This is surely a neglected chapter. It is an extreme distortion of God’s true grace and love to maintain that there will be no vengeance or recompense.

The correct thing for us to do is not to avenge ourselves. We are not sufficient for that; God alone will do it. He does it with perfect righteousness. It would be both too much and too little if we were to occupy ourselves with it!

God’s Word is very plain and clear, also when it concerns recompense. “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness . . . . The Lord has recompensed me . . . according to the cleanness of my hands . . . .” Ps. 18:20, 24.

“No one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” 1 Thess. 4:6. This is what that glorious apostle had implanted in them!

The Scriptures testify clearly that we will all receive according to how our works are and have been. This, quite simply, is righteousness. Vengeance and recompense are two expressions for righteousness. It takes place very accurately without partiality.

We can also say it like this if we wish: Everything happens according to weights and measures. Oh, how rewarding it is to fear and to love God, fearing to act contrary to His will, to displease Him! Oh, how rewarding it is to be and to become noble and good, to be fervently zealous to do every good work!!!

Both here and there we will be rewarded according to our works. This can also be stated as follows: We lie in the bed that we make for ourselves. The Scriptures say it like this (for instance): “Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.” Ps. 149:5.