Judgment and Vengence

6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. John 8:6-11

"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 King James Version (KJV)

Last night during our neighborhood Raise the Bar group, the topic for discussion was judgment with a focus on God and the Bible.  When we discuss topics, the group leader passes around a list of questions to guide us.   One of the key questions was how could the God in the Old Testament who was wrathful be reconciled with a God that loves unconditionally?  Does God sit outside of creation or is God a loving force guiding us within ourselves and in creation?  Do we bring consequences upon ourselves because we are not living within the laws of nature and scripture?   Or are these consequences coming down from a power separate from us which is rendering judgment on everything we do? Is the ultimate judgment rendered upon our death? How do we as individuals hold others accountable without judgment?  As we moved into the discussion it became apparent that this was a complex subject that was influenced by our image of God and the judgment of ourselves and others both as individuals and as a society.  

In my mind, I believe God is not only the creator but the loving force that propels the Universe forward in greater wholeness and understanding.  One of the purposes pf Jesus' ministry was to demonstrate how  the love of God should be lived as a human.   To transform our world in the Spirit of the Gospels, we must believe the Bible passages that creation is good, God is loving, and that with God all things are possible.  For me, each person as a child of God with a unique soul and should be treated with that respect.   I am part of a greater consciousness and society that binds us all.  I am also responsible for my own actions and I have to be accountable as do others.   But when I hold others accountable, I know it should be without revenge or hate.  Why?   Because evil is insidious and works to dominate our consciousness so that we are consumed with hate incapable of loving others and revealing the Kingdom of God on Earth.  The forgiveness of the parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal in Charleston who lost loved ones in the shooting during a prayer group demonstrated their love.  Through their actions their community healed and was able to move forward with love while holding the shooter accountable.

As the Raise the Group continued, we discussed authoritarian countries and terrorists and whether the United States is a righteous country that God uses to exercise vengeance?   We concluded that our  long history of enslaving a whole group of people for economic gain and other sins it was obvious that the nation lacked the moral authority to be righteous.  Humility as a nation is necessary because if we hold a mirror to ourselves, we are have committed crimes against humanity.  We are credible with other nations when we aspire to higher values while holding ourselves accountable for our actions that do not reflect our values.

As an individual I know that I cannot judge my own sins and see my true reflection, only God can.   But I know my own actions and I have learned humility because of God's and others grace in the face of my own sinfulness.   God's healing grace and love makes it possible to move forward in my life and know his goodness always prevails even when I need to be held accountable.