How many times have you heard someone say those words? Or, much more likely, the words, “It’s not fair”?
Where did we ever get the idea that life should be fair?
Well, you might say, it’s just not fair that God is allowing this to happen! I’m a good Christian, I tithe regularly, etc.
Who ever said God was fair?
(I can hear the gasps already. Bear with me.)
Is He? Is God fair?
First off, what does “fair” even mean? According to the Oxford Dictionary, fair (in the way we’re talking about it) means “in accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate” and “just or appropriate in the circumstances.” Legitimate, from the first definition, is defined as “able to be defended with logic or justification.” Justification, in turn, is “the action of showing something to be right or reasonable.”
So let’s just define fair as “following rules or standards, appropriate in the circumstances, able to be defended with logic, and shown to be right or reasonable.”
Is it fair for God–who said “Thou shalt not kill”–to grant forgiveness to a murderer (who has repented)? Is it fair for God–who is holy and disgusted by sin–to give grace to filthy sinners? Is it fair for God–who created the Universe and fills the heavens and is greater than our minds can fathom–to be born as a baby on earth, to live as a man, to die a criminal’s death, to send His Spirit to live in each believer’s heart? Is it fair for God–who is busy keeping all of creation running–to answer a young girl’s prayer that her kitty would be healed?
Is it fair? Does it follow any rules or standards? Is it logical? Does it make sense?
If any of you say “Yes,” I’m gonna call you a liar.
God’s. Not. Fair.
Forgiveness doesn’t make sense. Grace isn’t logical. Answering little prayers for “non-important” things doesn’t adhere to any rules. Love isn’t deserved.
And yet we get it!
God gives us grace and forgiveness and love and salvation and answered prayers and the opportunity/privilege of going to Heaven, of having a relationship with Him. . . On and on and on. He gives us so many things we don’t deserve or have earned–and He doesn’t give us things we do deserve and have earned!
It’s not fair, no. But aren’t you grateful for that? 😉
