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In verses nineteen and twenty-one, Paul tells us to not take revenge and how to treat our enemies like Christ would. In this day of constant lawsuits and a constant demand for legal rights, Paul’s take seems impossible and unfeasible. When someone hurts us deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul tells us to befriend them. Why does Christ and Paul tell us to forgive our enemies? One reason is forgiveness may break the cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. Second, it may make the enemy realize the error of his ways. Third, repaying evil with evil hurts us as much as it hurts the enemy. Even if our enemies never repent, forgiving him or her will free a heavy load of bitterness. In these verses, it is evident that forgiveness involves attitudes and actions. I know it may feel difficult to forgive our enemies, but we need to replicate Christ’s action by “killing them with kindness”.

Romans 12:19-21
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.