Part 3 of SWAGG's July series about the characteristics of our great God
This is a picture of my dog, Jewels (Juju for short). At the moment of taking it, she was very upset that I was snapping photos of a different dog, so she posed in front of her to be in it. Someone might of jokingly said that I was unfair to my dog for not taking her picture, but what they wouldn't have known is that I have many photos of her already and barely any of our other doggies. This is a very silly representation of how we misunderstand fairness.
On a way more serious note, this week's topic of fairness is going to be a bit more difficult for us to swallow.
Sometimes, we question God's fairness. "Why does He let good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people?" It can be hard to see the fairness in this.
Ultimately, what makes God's fairness great is that eternal life with Him is available to every single living being. We're all born with that yearning for something more, and that something is God. God pursues everyone and has made the gift of eternal life simple enough for a child to grasp.
We sometimes get so caught up with life here on earth, that we forget to think about ours and others eternal ones. No matter how amazing someone's life is, without a relationship with Jesus, they really have nothing. Yet, they are just one step away from everything. This is God's great fairness to us.
In this world full of racism, sexism, and favoritism, it’s hard to find true justice and fairness. Often times, we add to this unfairness by operating and judging others by our own code of justice, this is even true for Christians. It’s why we must choose to see and understand fairness through God’s perfect Word.
Throughout the course of the Bible, God’s fairness is explained to us. James tells us that God views all sin equally, for if we commit one sin, it’s like committing every sin. One kind of sin is not worse or better than the other, and God’s discipline and forgiveness doesn’t change depending on which sin we do. In Proverbs, we learn that God sees everything. This means that He is able to operate in fairness with a full picture of what has happened, what will happen, and what is happening. The book of Proverbs also reminds us that what we depend on for honestly measuring what is fair or not, comes from God. In fact, God created the construct of fairness, and, unfortunately, the world has manipulated it into what they want it to be.
Since God’s fairness is great, He does these three things for us: One, He created eternal life simple enough to be received by a child and offers it to everyone. God doesn’t intend for just one type or group of people to be saved, but everyone who desires to be and accepts His offer of eternal life. Two, He doesn’t overlook us and what we do. Sometimes, life feels unfair when it seems like others are more appreciated or given more credit than we are, but we can hold to that God will reward us fairly at the right time. Third, He doesn’t operate in biasness, sexism, racism, or favoritism. God never treats people differently based on what we look like, our gender, our social class, or even our past.
Here’s what to not to do, knowing God’s great fairness: Treat others unjustly – Not only is God fair, but He commands us to be fair. Believe that we deserve better than others – We’ve all sinned and all deserve the same punishment, but God offers eternal life to anyone who’ll accept it. View fairness through only our own understanding – We know and understand so little compared to God to believe we could act more justly than Him.
God’s Guidance:
James 2:10 (NIV) – “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
Proverbs 15:3 (NIV) – “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
Proverbs 16:11 (NIV) – “Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.”
Matthew 18:3 (NIRV) – “Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Hebrews 6:10 (ESV) – “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
Romans 2:11 (NIRV) – “God treats everyone the same.”
Micah 6:8 (NIRV) – “The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy. And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.”
Romans 3:23 (NIRV) – “Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory.”
Romans 6:23 (NIV) – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
Application:
1. Use the knowledge of God’s great fairness to comfort yourself and others when injustices occur
2. Talk to God about His great fairness in your life and thank Him for it
3. Trust God’s great fairness, instead of doubting it, even in hard times
Strength Point:
God’s fairness has the final say over the world’s injustices.
Reflection Question:
Is it easy for you to trust God's fairness?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for Your great fairness. You are a God full of justice. I'm sorry for doubting Your fairness. I know there are things I don't fully understand and others that I don't have all the information about, so please help me to trust You. I pray that You would reveal to me by opening my eyes to see how You operate in fairness. Remind me that Your intention is never to scare me, harm me, or make me feel less valued. Help me to cling to Your justice, for You have the final say in every situation. I pray Your fairness to reign over __, which I'm experiencing right now. You are good, and Your fairness is good. Thank You for being my just King. I love You, Lord!
A Prayer to Pray Over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for Your great fairness. You are a God full of justice. I know that, like me, my friend here has things they don't fully understand and others that they don't have all the information about, so please help them to trust You. I pray that You would reveal to them how you operate in fairness by opening their eyes. Remind them that Your intention is never to scare them, harm them, or make them feel less valued. Help them to cling to Your justice, for You have the final say in every situation. I pray Your fairness to reign over any circumstance which they might be experiencing right now. You are good, and Your fairness is good. Thank You for being our just King. I love You, Lord!
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