s20060625m_Why Isn't Life Fair
Why Isn’t Life Fair?
1Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed—with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power—with no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead, who have already died, more fortunate than the living, who are still alive; 3 but better than both is the one who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
1.) Criminals go Unpunished 2.) The Oppressed are Unhelped 3.) Politicians are Unethical
4.) Good People go Unrewarded 5.) Capable people are Unsuccessful
WHY GOD ALLOWS LIFE TO BE UNFAIR
Because He Gives us [THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE]
26 See, I am setting before you today (the choice of) a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn from the way that I am commanding you today, to follow other gods that you have not known. Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Because He is the [FINAL JUDGE]
I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for he has appointed a time for every matter, and for every work. Ecclesiastes 3:17
Because He Wants to Prove We [NEED A SAVIOR]
24…Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24c-26
Because Suffering can be a [BASIS OF SPIRITUALITY]
3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND
[ACCEPT] that Life Is Unfair
I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world! John 16:33
[DO] the Right Thing Anyway
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:16-17
[WAIT] for God’s Reward
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.
2 Corinthians 4:17