What does God think of retaliation?

The Bibles describes various levels of retaliation. As people who lie under God’s law of grace, Christians are called to pursue level 4.

· Level 1: Unlimited retaliation (before the Law)

The OT, before the giving of the Law, had no limits on vengeance (Gen. 4:23,24).

· Level 2: Limited retaliation (under the Law).

Once the Mosaic Law was delivered, retaliation was limited to the actual loss that was suffered; for example: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life (Ex. 21:23 – 25; Deu. 19:19 – 21).

· Level 3: No retaliation (according to the principles of Christ).

When Christ came and ushered in His new law, believers were urged to refrain from retaliation (Rom. 12:19).

· Level 4: Replaced retaliation (a Christlike response to enemies).

 Jesus challenges people to something much bigger than simply not retaliating: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).