This Sunday we will be addressing our final question in the "Why?" series. The question is, why doesn't God seem fair? I'm a little uncomfortable about addressing this often asked question this weekend. Not necessarily because it is a tricky theological question or that someone might get offended by the answer. I'm uncomfortable because that question always smacks me in the face with audacity. I'm uncomfortable because I know the high view we have of ourselves and the very low view that we hold of God. Not by all, but by some, the question almost has a tinge of superiority to it.
I think my answer to the question of the "fairness" of God always ends up being more complex then it really needs to be. I try to gauge my response to this question based on the spiritual maturity and understanding of the listener. But what it really comes down to is this:
Regarding God's fairness and response to sin: "... to put it bluntly, when you get your own universe you can make your own standards. When we disagree, let's not assume it's His reasoning that needs correction." Francis Chan, Crazy Love p. 34.
The more important thing here is, why would we want God to be fair? If that were the case, we'd all have to die for our own sins.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how u got out of jury duty.
ReplyDeleteYoung man, as you as you live in my universe . . .
ReplyDelete(said like an angry father)
;o)
Growing up my dad always told me, "Fair isn't 'till August in Des Moines." What he was communicating was that fair doesn't exist, it's my own fallen idea of what is right and who am I??? What do I know? How could I possibly understand the answer even if God told me? I love God's response to Job on the question "why?" God said, "What do you think of the hippo? Pretty neat, huh?" He didn't even answer the question because I think he knew that Job wouldn't understand even if he told him why....and neither will we. Have fun, I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteGood comment, Mike Messerli, I had not thought of that.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't have to run the sound booth this Sun. I will try to stay to watch your while service. This sounds hard to me. I'll be praying for your service, as I always do. love ya,