Is God… fair?
What is God’s relationship with the non-believer – one who doesn’t know Him or acknowledge Him?
Careful now, answering this question will lead to another, more uncomfortable question (yes, even some of you “mature” Christians will find it awkward).
The Bible is very clear on answering the first question - God will JUDGE the non-believer.
The other, more incisive question that arises is whether His judgement is fair or not.
Can God be good and righteous if He judges the non-Christian for their sin, especially in light of being “divinely chosen” as expressed in John 6:44 ( “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him) and Ephesians 1:4 (He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him).
If man cannot be saved unless chosen or elected by God, then is it fair for Him to judge those whom He has not so chosen?
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:18-21 (NASB)
Is it fair for God to choose some to have belief and salvation, while judging those who didn’t get the nod?
Is it unfair?
Yes.
It is unfair.
Not fair at all….
But it is merciful and gracious.
You see, if God was fair, all men would be condemned.
Never ask God to be fair because you would not like it if He were.
Ask Him to be loving, merciful and gracious.
“He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” (Psalms 103:10–11)
Grace and Peace
Advertisement
It’s amazing that man resists “truth” to believe a lie and then wonders how God can be so mean as to send people to hell. Yet throughout the Bible we see example after example of God saving people and in return they turn their backs on God.
Ezekiel 18:25 (New King James Version)
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?
God’s way is so fair. He offers love and forgiveness with nothing more than a simple act of faith on out part. All we need to do is believe. Maybe God should have made it more complicated. More people would have jumped on board then.
Bob Ottalagano said this on May 3, 2011 at 6:37 pm