Reviling for Reviling

I’ve been watching some vigilante films. The classic Bronson Death Wishes (1974-1994) are always congenial, contrasting the denim-clad hoodlums with their elderly victims’ brown checks and flairs. In Winner’s movies, the police are lazy and corrupt; the law-abiding need a good dose of Kersey to sort matters out. The Foreigner (2017) features Jackie Chan avenging the death of his only daughter at the hands of the IRA. Skilfully, he hunts them down, giving those murderous patriots a measure of their own deadly medicine. There, the police are competent and sympathetic, but lack the opportunities and initiative of the vengeful Chinaman, who usefully turns out to be a Vietnam Special Forces veteran.

Seeing ordinary Joe Meatballs and Sally Housecoats seek- and find- the justice hitherto denied, makes for compelling viewing. Few of us have murdered children to avenge, but we do rather like exacting justice on others who offend us. We enjoy playing the judge and executioner, and sometimes the prosecutor in our arguments with our fellows. I find myself less confident in the role of defendant, having to hear others’ just complaints. Attacking other people’s failings boosts my pride; hearing them point out my own flaws offends it. This is why we Christ-followers are not to exact revenge, whether it be petty or more Hollywood-style in its proportion. The apostle commands

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)

We who have received much grace must ourselves show it, give it and lavish it. We who have received much have much to give.