Ever hear an exasperated child shout out, "that's not fair!"? Chances are, we all stated such as children, and may quietly harbor the same opinion even today. Much of life isn't fair and, by extension, God doesn't exactly seem fair.
It's one thing to think God isn't fair; it's quite another to actually state it: "your fellow citizens say, 'The way of the Lord is not right' " (Ezekiel 33.17)
The children of Israel apparently had a beef with God: He wasn't fair. But, when God "called them on the carpet" with their accusation, He followed it up with the true reality: "it is their own way that is not right." (Ezekiel 33.17) God stated His system of fairness succinctly: "When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them." (Ezekiel 33.18-19) What could be more fair than that?
It's easy enough to observe that wicked people prosper, while righteous people suffer. From all appearances, life is unfair. But, coming judgment is often the missing perspective. What we see is not what always will be. Inevitably, every person will give an account of their life before their Creator. And, that day of reckoning will be based on what is current, not past. Yesterday's righteousness will be worthless if today is characterized by wickedness. Conversely, yesterday's wickedness is forgotten if today is lived in righteousness. There is no "resting on our laurels" of righteousness, nor is their penalty for past forgiven wickedness. What matters is where things stand today.
None of us will be saved in the coming kingdom by worthy works. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2.8-9) But, a key question is: where do I stand today; right now; concerning that grace? Am I living in it, or trying to take advantage of it? Is it guiding me into a righteous lifestyle, or am trying to allow it to be a covering for unrighteous deeds?
God is perfectly fair, and He gives us this moment to live for Him. " 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.' " (Ezekiel 33.11)
Our Father gives us this very moment to choose life and grace. As a holy and perfect God, He demands judgment, but takes no delight in the destruction of the unrepentant. He gladly receives those who choose Him and His ways this moment. What could be more fair than that?
Whether you are a believer living in disobedience, or an unbeliever who has never chosen - choose wisely, and choose now.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
It's one thing to think God isn't fair; it's quite another to actually state it: "your fellow citizens say, 'The way of the Lord is not right' " (Ezekiel 33.17)
The children of Israel apparently had a beef with God: He wasn't fair. But, when God "called them on the carpet" with their accusation, He followed it up with the true reality: "it is their own way that is not right." (Ezekiel 33.17) God stated His system of fairness succinctly: "When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them." (Ezekiel 33.18-19) What could be more fair than that?
It's easy enough to observe that wicked people prosper, while righteous people suffer. From all appearances, life is unfair. But, coming judgment is often the missing perspective. What we see is not what always will be. Inevitably, every person will give an account of their life before their Creator. And, that day of reckoning will be based on what is current, not past. Yesterday's righteousness will be worthless if today is characterized by wickedness. Conversely, yesterday's wickedness is forgotten if today is lived in righteousness. There is no "resting on our laurels" of righteousness, nor is their penalty for past forgiven wickedness. What matters is where things stand today.
None of us will be saved in the coming kingdom by worthy works. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2.8-9) But, a key question is: where do I stand today; right now; concerning that grace? Am I living in it, or trying to take advantage of it? Is it guiding me into a righteous lifestyle, or am trying to allow it to be a covering for unrighteous deeds?
God is perfectly fair, and He gives us this moment to live for Him. " 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.' " (Ezekiel 33.11)
Our Father gives us this very moment to choose life and grace. As a holy and perfect God, He demands judgment, but takes no delight in the destruction of the unrepentant. He gladly receives those who choose Him and His ways this moment. What could be more fair than that?
Whether you are a believer living in disobedience, or an unbeliever who has never chosen - choose wisely, and choose now.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:16 AM
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