Is God fair? Part 1A

Fairness, as defined in our age of "tolerance," is that everyone should get the same thing, be given "what we deserve." In light of this, when we ask the question, “Is God fair?” we have to answer the question, with “No,” “Yes” and “No.” We'll look at the first answer today.

So, is God fair? “No!” If God were fully fair and gave us what we actually and naturally deserved, all people, as sin-twisted rebels, would immediately be sent to Hell. As the Word says, we are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and in our natural selves there dwells no good thing (Rom 7:18).

Since God is righteous, He must punish sin--if He did not punish it, there would be no justice, with no hope of change for the good, and no solution to the problem of evil. Before a just God, we would naturally all go to Hell right now--if He acted only from fairness.

However, praise God, His character is not limited to the low and simplistic standard of being fair. He is also merciful, loving and full of grace. Therefore, in this area, He chooses to not be fair; that is, He does not give us what we deserve, but instead offers the possibility of pardon.

Titus 3: 3-7 summarizes God’s unfair and wonderful way of working.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Our hearts were black like the center of these daises, but the cleansing light of the Son, by grace, has made us righteous like the petals!