The Fairness of God

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Even if we have not verbalized it, we have all thought it, “That was not fair, God.” Someone else was rewarded the promotion at work, the date with the guy, the house that we bid on. Another friend tells of her unexpected pregnancy when we have labored in prayer over just one child. Children are born with disease, into poverty-stricken homes, or left as orphans. It’s simply not fair. He is not fair. Or is He? If He is, do we sincerely desire God to treat us fairly? Think for a moment, what our lives would look like if God treated us as we so often demand: fairly. What if that which we worked for was all that His hand allowed; if people, including our families, treated us only with the kindness and respect which we have shown toward them void of mercy and forgiveness; if our religion was based on merited works? My life, for one, would look drastically different if God treated me tit for tat. Would yours? Consider our sin. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:10-14) If God treated me as my sins deserve I would most likely be alone, embittered, and hopeless. Ultimately, I would spend eternity in hell. Giving this topic any amount of thought, I don’t wager that I want to serve a fair god in relation to my own performance. I will keep my faithful God regardless of my circumstances. I will cling to the God who lavishes His love upon me regardless of my sins; does not treat me as my sins deserve; who daily forgives; and eternally rewards.