A grudge can place a huge burden on our hearts when we carry it, bear it, and nurse it. It can ultimately destroy our lives and our relationships with others. Lamech, a descendant of Cain, carried a grudge to the point of murder. He was extremely bitter, had no sense of guilt or remorse, and felt fully justified with his revenge. This response of “My actions are justified” is what is called the Law of Lamech: “You hurt me, I’ll hurt you back; I’ll hurt you worse; I’ll make you pay.”

We can continue on in our lives responding to the hurts of life using the Law of Lamech, but there is a new and different way of responding that Jesus taught and ultimately demonstrated at the cross—forgiveness. Jesus teaches us that we can reverse the Law of Lemech.

We have been forgiven an infinite debt at the cross and, therefore, we can give what God has given to us to the people who have hurt us. We can lay our grudges at the foot of the cross.