*“Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”* 2 Peter 3:9b (NIV) A good author or screenwriter can draw us into their story where good and evil are in conflict in such a way that we have great expectancy and longing to see the villain’s demise. In fact, if the nasty piece of work is spared destruction there is almost a sense of disappointment. Whether this is the result of an innate consciousness of justice or simply a base desire for payback is unknown. It is one thing however to have our emotions manipulated by a good story and quite another thing when it manifests itself in real life. Certainly there is a lot of evil in this world and people have done things, both personally and publicly, which stir up in us a sense of revenge or justice. Our response could be an indicator of how much the life of Christ is present in us. If we are incited to seek revenge for evil done to humanity, how much more outraged do we become by those who despise or reject God? Even David, a man who had a heart toward God, spoke definitively about those who hate God. *“O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”* Psalm 139:21–22 (NLT) He does not appear to wait for God’s answer, but instead provides the answer himself. It seemingly was conventional wisdom to despise, hate and seek the destruction of those who did evil and were opposed to God. However, God is not similarly inclined. *“Tell them, ‘As sure as I am the living God, I take no pleasure from the death of the wicked. I want the wicked to change their ways and live. Turn your life around! Reverse your evil ways! Why die, Israel?’”* Ezekiel 33:11 (MSG) Jesus further obliterates the concept that it is acceptable to hate anyone, including our enemies. *“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”* Matthew 5:43–45a (NLT) Take a moment and think of the most vile, reprehensible person imaginable. It could be a tyrant, a mass murderer or perhaps someone who has hurt you grievously and ask yourself this question. “Would I be offended or disappointed to learn that somehow this person had repented, possibly with their last breath, and that they were welcomed into heaven by Jesus with his arms open wide?” It is deplorable for followers of Christ to curse those with whom they do not agree. For example, Christians have stated that they pray for the President using Psalm 109:8-9 which says, *“Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. May his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow.”* Instead of seeking someone’s death and leaving orphans and a widow, they should be following Paul’s advice. *“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.”* Romans 12:14 (NLT) We are not naïve. There is evil and there are evil people in this world, but our God cares about them and desires that they come to repentance and so should we. There are no acceptable exceptions or excuses and we must follow Christ’s example when he was persecuted and ultimately put to death. *‘Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”’* Luke 23:34 (NLT) It is not easy to forgive and even to bless those who do evil, particularly when it hits close to home, but if we want God’s heart toward people to guide our thoughts and actions, we must be prepared to let God settle the accounts. After all, that is what Jesus did. *“He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”* 1 Peter 2:23 (NLT) The desire for justice or settling of scores is deeply rooted in our old nature, but for the cause of the gospel we need to nurture and promote the attitude and characteristics of our new nature which was imparted to us by our new birth in Christ. Jesus revolutionized our view of life and relationships when he said, “You have heard that it was said …, But I say to you ...," Jesus revealed God’s heart toward humanity. He does not want to see anyone perish and neither should we.