In Luke 9:51-56, because Jesus and His disciples were not received in a Samaritan village they visited, two of the disciples asked their Master for permission to call down fire from heaven to consume and destroy the village and its inhabitants.
Jesus rebuked them for the spirit of retaliation and revenge, letting them that His mission was to save (salvation of souls) and not destruction of souls He came to save. The disciples were yet to understand the mission of their Master.
The true Christian spirit is not one of revenge and retaliation for hurt and offence and Christianity is not to be propagated by forceful and violent methods.
In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 forbade grudge and vengeance against neighbors. The New Testament also commands love rather than hatred for enemies.
Matthew 5:44-45 says:
‘’ but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you
‘’ but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you
That you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust.’’
Though the Law of Moses and the New Testament forbade revengeful retaliation, they allow the law to take its course where sin occurred (Exodus 21:23-25) (Romans 13:1-10).
Though as Christians, we are bound to bear injuries and injustice without revengeful retaliation, we are privileged to call to question any maltreatment meted to us.
This was the example of Jesus in John 18:23 when He was struck on the face during His trial. Calling to question a mistreatment does not violate the principle on retaliation in Matthew 5:39. We are to leave vengeance for God (Psalm 94:1) to avenge for us.
Zeal is good but a zealous Christian must be self-controlled and act with knowledge else he will destroy the work he is doing (Romans 10:1-4). Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
In John 16:2, Jesus said that the times will come when people will persecute His followers and think they are doing service to God, indicating zeal without knowledge.
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