One of the most difficult lessons we have attempted to teach in our household, is the truth, “Life is not fair and we don’t really want it to be.” All three of my children have looked at me with unbelief, disdain and indeed incredulity. Our deliverace of the “fairness” speech almost always accompanies some perceived injustice, some apparent inequity that should immediately be “righted.” The thought that “fairness” is not desirable is all together repugnant in such instances.

Let’s consider fairness for just a moment. “Fairness” would ensure that all things would be equal. If one person received a gift, everyone would receive a gift. If one person were to become ill, everyone would become ill. If one person were rewarded for personal industry all persons would be rewarded for personal industry, regardless of whether or not the industry was worthwhile or of particular value. Poverty would be the rule for all, for as soon as someone gathered more than need demanded either everyone would be likewise provisioned or that which was gain would be taken away for the sake of fairness. Fairness remands individuality and demands that uniqueness be discouraged.

God is not fair. He favored Noah (Genesis 6.8); he set apart Abram (Genesis 12.1-3); he made an exclusive covenant with Israel (Exodus 19.5-6); his call of love is to everyone but few are rescued (Matthew 7.13-14; 2 Peter 1.9-11). If God were fair my present rebellious acts would meet the same end as those involved in the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16.31-35), and I would be a pile of ashes.
I am glad that I live in a world that is not fair. I am glad I serve a God whose mercy towards me is renewed every morning and whose first response to my wretchedness is grace.

This is a reality worth living and the message I have the privilege of bringing this upcoming Sunday.

It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! (Titus 3:3-7, The Message)