I watched a foreign film recently based on the novella titled “Michael Kolhaas”, by German Author Heinrich von Kleint. The story takes place in Germany in the mid-sixteenth century and is loosely based on a true story of a man who suffers injustice at the hands of a young nobleman with powerful friends. In the film, this young nobleman steals Kolhaas’ horses and destroys his livelihood. Kolhaas sets out on a year-long quest to follow 16th century law and receive retribution, where in the end his wife is severely beaten and abused, later dying of her injuries. This enrages Kolhaas, who then forms a band to gain revenge.

In the film version, Kolhaas is heard uttering the words “May God never forgive me because I will never forgive [the young nobleman]. I remember receiving those words into my spirit like a punch in the gut. WHOA! Could you ever imagine speaking such condemning words?

This later lead to a thoughtful dialogue with the Holy Spirit where I examined motivations of the heart, and the difference between revenge and justice whenever it is sought by an individual outside of the law. Why is it that God encourages us to allow HIM to take vengeance instead (Romans 12:19), especially when the retribution we dish out may be judged by others as justified? If you are thinking it’s just for the sake of turning the other cheek and keeping the peace here and now, the answer I got might surprise you. Those who seek revenge in this life walk a very thin line between delivering what they believe to be justice and bringing the wrath of God down fully upon their own head. Here’s why:

• Even if they say the do, they do not truly place a high value the sacrifice Jesus made – not only for the other person, but for them as well – paying the price demanded for sin with His own life and blood. As a result…
• They are not capable of seeing (and therefore don’t trust that) God’s justice and vengeance are far worse and more terrifying than ANYTHING received here and now. As a result…
• They are not valuing the weighty consequences of eternity, neither for themselves nor for the person(s) they are targeting. As a result…
• They seek to put themselves in place of God, which is the same sin Lucifer committed

If we understood the true weight of eternity then we would pray for our enemies to turn from their wicked ways, that they may seek the Lord while there may still be time. In the end, what will it profit us if we should gain revenge (or even the whole world) and lose our own soul (Mark 8:36)?

The enemy can only steal what is temporary. Anything of eternal value can never be stolen. But we have been given a choice. We have the right to give up our rights to life in eternity in much the same way the character in this story gave up his own rights – by not committing the eternal things to the Eternal One.

As hard as it can be to not react in anger and hatred towards those who hurt us, we have the promise in 1 John 3:8 that Jesus actually came to destroy the works of the devil, and He accomplished this the moment He raised from the dead. We can trust the revenge to Him, and He will bring justice on our behalf.