Turn the other cheek
Romans 12:19-21
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:19-21
Jesus taught:
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:11-12
He knew that his followers would be treated as He was, despised, rejected, persecuted and tormented. But, the Lord is the judge of all men and He wants us to reflect His glory and mercy:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. – Matthew 5:38-42
God will judge and He will pour out His wrath on the children of disobedience. We are called to love our enemies:
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. – Leviticus 19:18
If we feel we have been treated unfairly we can leave it is the hands of God who knows the hearts of all men:
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ – Deuteronomy 32:35
“Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.” – Deuteronomy 32:43
When Jesus turned over the tables of the money lenders in the temple He revealed the anger of God towards those who try and cheat others. He has told us what to do:
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8
When David had two opportunities to kill Saul he showed Him mercy and let God be the judge. Saul’s response was to see the righteousness of God in David. An expression of God’s mercy, freely available to all who repent.
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.
18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. – 1 Samuel 24:17-19