What does it mean to be 'fair'?
1. marked by impartiality and honesty
2. free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism
God cannot be 'unfair'
(Romans 2:11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
(Romans 9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
But life is unfair!
This is not heaven; it is not a perfect world. It is an imperfect place, and because of sin in the world, there is injustice.
Give me some examples.
We really don't need any teaching on how to be fair. We learned how to be fair at an early stage in our lives. We were taught to share our games and toys. To always cut the pie in correct pieces so everybody gets an equal amount. Ex. 3 Musketeers Candy Bar
We know how to be fair, but we need to deal with the issue of 'Why be fair?' In our world today it seems everybody else is living for themselves, why shouldn't we do the same? [2] Why should we show fairness?
1. Because we have the freedom to choose.
(Deuteronomy 30:19) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
(Joshua 24:15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
a. We are not just a higher form of animal; we are created in the image of God.
b. He created us with free will. We get to choose the path we take in life.
c. We get to make all sorts of moral choices.
d. So we should choose to show fairness, because that will best reflect the image of Christ to this fallen world.
(1 Timothy 4:12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
2. Because God's going to settle accounts one day
(Ecclesiastes 3:17) I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
a. Today is not the end of the story.
b. One day the Lord will make everything right.
c. The things that weren't just in this world will be made right by the One who is righteous.
d. Let's remember that it is God who is the righteous judge, not us!
(Acts 17:31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
How do we deal with injustices of this life?
1. Accept them Gracefully
(John 16:33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
a. Don't be surprised when people treat you unfairly.
b. We live in a fallen world, and it should not surprise us when the injustices come.
(1 Peter 4:12-13) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
c. Rejoice…with exceeding joy?
1) Peter is reminding us that we cannot prevent people from hurting us; that will happen.
2) But we can choose our response.
3) We can accept it gracefully, rather than becoming bitter or complaining.
4) We can use it as an opportunity to develop our character and become more like Christ.
2. Respond to them Lovingly
(Luke 6:35-36) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
a. Note the context of these verses.
b. The Lord wants us to be different than those around us.
c. We are to make the choice to do the exact opposite of what the world expects.
d. Booker T. Washington, "I let no man drag me down so low as to make me hate him."
3. Wait for God's help expectantly
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
a. When we are going through an unjust period, God is on our side.
b. All through scripture, God has a special heart for people who are treated unfairly.
c. He is a God of justice and He hears the cry of the oppressed.
d. He knows when we are hurt, but He has a plan.
(Psalms 34:17) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
e. Life is kind of like film photography: You start with a negative, but it develops into a positive.
f. Film negatives are developed through light; and when we shine the light of God's love through our circumstance and we begin to see what God is doing, that He's working on our character.
g. What develops is beautiful!
(Romans 8:28-29) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
h. In the midst of the injustices of this world, we are to wait upon the Lord.
i. He will never fail us!
(1 Peter 4:19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.