It's Just Not Fair!

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

25 Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is unfair." Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Reflection

It's just not fair! I've heard this before. I've probably said this before. But wait! What is fair?

The only thing that is fair in life are the meadows and the woodlands. (That's a joke)

If I think of life from my perspective; sure things are not fair. But who promised that things would be fair? I don't remember this being a promise by anyone. If I think of life from God's perspective (which I can't really do... but let's just pretend a minute), things aren't fair either. God created me and you and all that exists. God gave all to us. And I ruined it, you ruined it and so did everyone else. So, God sent Jesus into this world in flesh and blood to clean up the mess I made and to save me from my sinful self. That's not fair.

Really we all deserve eternal damnation and hell for our turning from God's perfectly fair ways towards our sinful unfair and selfish ways.

I cant' point my finger at you or anyone and say that all of this unfairness is due to you. I'm the one that sinned. It's not fair because of me. Likewise, you can't point your finger at me or anyone who lived before me or after me and blame the unfairness on me or them. I must take responsibility for my own sin and confess and repent before God.

But, thanks be to God that God is gracious and loving and merciful and wants me to have a new heart and a new spirit. So loving is God that Jesus came to take on my sinfulness that I am responsible for and saved me... you... and all of us.

Prayer

Lord, you are more than fair. Forgive my sin and create in me a new heart and a new spirit... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen