God Isn’t Fair, He Is Just (Part 1)

[ Preached by Pastor Kenneth Chin at Acts Church Malaysia on 8 January 2017 ]

Do you know that fairness changes as the world changes?

Justice, however, never changes.

Fairness is subjective while justice is objective. Fairness depends on the current condition of man’s world while justice depends on the unchanging commandments of God’s Word. It is right to love one another as commanded by the Bible, which is still as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

When we have discussions and they are based on the condition of our heart or what is acceptable among our friends, we may miss the point because fairness from our friends and our hearts may fluctuate. We can instead choose to anchor our conversations on God’s truth despite our feelings and thoughts about certain issues.

Fairness, therefore, should not be the compass of our lives especially when we are navigating through it.

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We need the unchanging “North” (justice) to navigate out of the jungle of trouble.
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Read | 1 Samuel 30:3-20

According to the Bible, David came back from a victorious war with his army. However, on returning, they realised that they had been plundered and had lost their wives, children and belongings to a raid.

David was greatly distressed but he strengthened himself in the Lord and led the tired army to reclaim back what was lost. 200 men of the army were too exhausted to continue so David went on with the remaining 400 men to get back what was lost.

On returning, he shared the victorious plunder with the remaining 200 men, who had stayed behind.

Read | 1 Samuel 30:21-25

However, some of David’s army protested saying that it was not fair for those who had gone to war.

David replied saying,
“No, my brothers! Do not be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.”

If David was fair, he would not have shared the plunder with the 200 men. Yet, David did what was just in the eyes of the Lord.

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If our spiritual leaders are led to do only what is fair, they would not be able to lead us anywhere.
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When we go where we may not want to go, we will grow.

Is it fair to reward someone who has done less with more?

Read | Matthew 20:10-16

Jesus told a parable of the vineyard workers. The landowner paid the same wage to those who worked the whole day and to those who worked in the last hour.

When the workers who worked the whole day complained about their wage, the landowner replied,
“Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?”

Such is the justice of God. This parable also reflects God’s mercy and grace for those saved in the last hours. Stop complaining. If you want to bark, bark up the tree of justice.

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Instead of complaining on what is fair, ask God what is right.
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What’s fair to one may not be fair to another.
What’s fair in one’s country may not be fair to another.
What’s fair to men may not be fair to women.
What’s fair to the rich may not be fair to the poor.
What’s fair to the straight may not be fair to the alternatives.

There is a God who created us who knows what is just. Live by the Word of God and witness His power at work. Is God fair? Yes, but in His way.

Written by: Writer’s Ink
Edited by: Ivy Wambaa & Hailey Chung