God’s way is walking in
forgiveness.
Man’s way is taking revenge.
Isaiah 55:8 & 9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.”
In this life we all, at times, offend others, and sometimes we
are offended. God’s answer
to offense is forgiveness. Man’s way to deal with offense is often to
seek revenge. We will look at the scriptures to see what they teach
about forgiveness and revenge, or taking vengeance.
1. Matthew 6:12, “And ______________ us our
debts, as we __________________our debtors.”
What is the “debt” of which this passage
speaks?”___________
2. How often did Jesus tell Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 that we should we
forgive our brother if he/she sins against
us?_____________________________________________________________________
3. Mark 11:25-26, “And when ye stand praying,
__________if ye have ought against any, that your Father also which
is in heaven may ____________ you your ___________________. But if ye
do not ____________, neither will your Father which is in heaven
___________________ your trespasses.”
This passage shows that our forgiveness of other is imperative if God is
to forgive us.
4. Luke
17:3, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother
_____________ against thee, ________ him; and if he repent,
___________ him.
5. Read Matthew 18:23-35 and tell how this story of the servant
applies to us today.
Now we will examine some passages that
speak of taking vengeance or seeking
revenge when we have been wronged. Let's see who has the
right to avenge wrongs.
6. Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, __________not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
______________ _______ ____________; I will repay, saith
the ______________.”
7. I Peter 3:9, “Not rendering __________ for __________, or
____________________ for railing: but contrariwise ____________;
knowing that ye are there unto called , that ye should inherit a
_________________.”
8. Why is it a good reason to allow God to take vengeance, rather
than for man to take vengeance?
Gods’ way is to forgive those who sin against us. If we are in a
conflict with another, we are to go in humility and speak to them and
try to work things out. If we would do this in a loving kind way, how
many marriages might be repaired, how many friendships mended, and how
many church splits prevented? We can see the wisdom of God’s word. We
can see that in taking our own vengeance, not only are we disobeying
God's commands, but also we might make wrong judgments and assumptions.
God is all knowing and he knows the hearts of men. He knows the motives
and not just the actions of others. God’s ways and thoughts are higher
than our thoughts and ways.
Thank you for your participation in this study. I hope the study has
been beneficial to you.
Please commit to memory the following passage:
Isaiah 55:8 & 9