1 Peter 3:8-12
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so may you inherit a blessing.
10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
- Somebody may not be treating you right
- There are some who are telling lies about you trying to ruin your reputation
- Maybe you were cheated in a business deal and you lost lot of money
- Or maybe somebody is telling lie about you and it hinders your promotion
- And because of these things, you want them to pay you back
- You want to take revenge
- But Jesus is telling us right now, "Remember what people did to me. I was beaten. I was insulted. I was crucified. I suffered at the cross because of your sins. But I never fought back."
- If you want to live your best life now, learn to trust God to bring justice in your life.
- Let God bring you justice in His own way, not our way.
- God's way is far better than our way.
God's WAY in bringing justice
W - Work to please God
- Whatever is your work today, a teacher, driver, farmer, businessman, housekeeper, or even student, work for God to please Him, not for men.
- Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Crist you are serving.
- Story of a man who worked as a mechanic at a large diesel-truck shop. For many years he was not treated properly at his work. His coworkers often made fun of him because he wouldn't go out and party with them after work. He was one of the best mechanics on staff and consistently one of their top producers. But for 7 years, he never received a pay raise, he didn't even get a bonus, he didn't get any sort of increase - because his supervisor didn't like him. But he continued his best. He worked hard and kept his mouth shut. He said he was not working to please his supervisor; but he was working to please God. One day, the owner of the company called him. The owner wasn't involved in the day-to-day operations, so the mechanic had never met him before. But the owner said he was ready to retire, and he was looking somebody to take over the business. "I'd like you to have it," the owner said to the mechanic. But the mechanic said, "I'd would love to have it, but I don't have enough money to buy your business." The owner replied, "You don't need the money. I have money. I'm looking for somebody to take over the business. I'm looking for someone I can trust to continue the work I have started. I want to give it to you." Today, the mechanic owns the company free and clear.
- God will do the same thing for us if we just work to please Him.
A - Avenge is of God
- Because of human emotion, normally, we react in every situation
- Every bad things others had brought us, we get mad and we want to get even
- We want to take revenge
- Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
- Story of Joel Olsten and his wife Victoria. There is a person in their lives who cheated them a lot of money in a business deal. Many times, they were tempted to fight the battle in their own strength. They were tempted to want to pay him back and make his life miserable. But they forced themselves to do the right thing, even difficult, and turned over the matter to God. This process continued for several years but they didn't see any change. But they keep reminding themselves that God is a God of justice. One day, God supernaturally stepped in and turned that situation around. The man who cheated them lost his family, his business, his reputation, and everything. God did not only moved that man out of their lives, but He paid them back in abundance for everything they lost. God has prospered them several estates deal so they live in a lovely home and have all the materials things they need. He blessed them with good family. He promoted them and given them postions of leadership. God has done more than they can ask or think.
- Life of David. Saul haunted David and want to kill him because of jealousy. But God delivered the life of Saul to David. When Saul and his men rested in a cave, David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe but did not kill him. He spared the life of Saul. In the last chapter of 1 Samuel, the Philistines attacked Saul and his army. His sons died in this battle, and Saul was wounded critically that he himself took his own life by his sword. And later on, David became the king.
- 1 Samuel 24:12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
- David gave the vengeance to the Lord.
Y - Yield Christ's humility, forgiveness, and love in your life
- Christ's Humility. Philippians 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Christ's Forgiveness. Jesus was tortured, insulted, and was crucified
- Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
- Christ's Love. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- To those who have wronged us, express to them your humility and Gof will lift us up; forgive them and God will also forgive us; and love them and God will also show his love for us.
- 2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our own lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows
Conclusion
- Let God gives us justice in His own way
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled...
- God has His own time when He will give us justice
- Just wait patiently and just trust Him
- When He gives justice, He will also give us abundant blessings.
- Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give.
