For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9
Fall 2001 Volume 2, Issue 4 |
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The diabolical terrorists’ attack on America on September 11, 2001 was unprovoked, unexpected, undeserved and resulted in the indescribable destruction of the World Trade Center and in the tragic loss of life of thousands of innocent, peace-loving Americans. Our Nation is in shock, overwhelmed in deepest sorrow and is out.raged by this cowardly, deceptive and carefully-planned attack, which was born out of a deep-seated and unjustified hatred for the principles that our nation stands for; our belief in Christianity, our possession of wealth, our freedom, and our military strength. The Terrorists are deeply malignant, treacherous, devoid of spiritual values and have no true concept of the value of human life or of the brotherhood of man. Our President, the Congress, our Statesmen, and our Military Commanders pledge that vengeance will be taken, justice will be served, and that, to the best of our ability, terrorism will be abolished in our nation and throughout the world. Vengeance will be taken! And they voice the strong sentiments of our people. It seems quite appropriate, yes necessary at this time that we should define and discuss "Vengeance" and related terms or words. Vengeance is literally "That which proceeds out of justice." It is retribution and punishment of an offender who has committed a crime against his fellow man. It is the administration of justice. Justice is to be ad.ministered impartially. The law is the impartial rule by which judgment is to be made. Just as the law specifies the punishment for violators of the law, vengeance is the infliction of that penalty specified in the law. That is justice. It has no element of vindictiveness; nothing by way of taking revenge. It is not animated by a desire to get even with another for a wrong done or injury sustained. It is not activated by a vindictive, evil, or spiteful spirit. It is not mean and malicious in character or unforgiving in nature. It does not arise out of a sense of personal injury or feeling of indignation. It is simply justice. God has said: "Vengeance is mine. I will repay." It is written: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance |
is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). So, Vengeance is in the province of God. Some have concluded that vengeance in any form by any human or human institution is therefore wrong. However, the Bible states otherwise. There are two ways that God takes, or will take, vengeance on the evildoer. In Romans 13:1-5, civil government is declared to be of God, His minister, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." The individual citizen is forbidden to execute wrath upon those who wrongfully use him. He is commanded to "give place unto wrath." Wrath refers to the execution of vengeance upon the evildoer by the properly constituted authorities, God's ministers, whose duty it is to see that justice is done. There is danger that the strong impassioned action of the injured in seeking vindictively for revenge would prevent the impersonal application of vengeance, "that which proceeds out of justice." Therefore, God ordains civil government to execute vengeance; He repays by means of civil government He ordained. As the Bible declares in Romans 13:4, “ ...for he beareth not the sword in vain...”
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