Hebrews 12:22-24 
“No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.” (NLT)

“No, that’s not your experience at all. You’ve come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. You’ve come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel’s—a homicide that cried out for vengeance—became a proclamation of grace.” (The Message)

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Forgiveness is more powerful than vengeance. 

Vengeance binds. Forgiveness releases.

Vengeance destroys relationships. Forgiveness heals them.

Vengeance looks for offense. Forgiveness looks for reconciliation. 

Vengeance never ends. Forgiveness never stops.

Vengeance is the old way of getting even by cutting things in half.

Forgiveness is the new way of reunion by removing whatever burden caused separation.

The evil one prefers bondage. Jesus offers freedom. 

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I will choose forgiveness and freedom.

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Our Father, please deliver me from the bondage and baggage of vengeful thinking. Please deliver me from the burden of carrying grudges. Set me free, and use me to extend your freedom of forgiveness. Amen.