What Is Fair?
Good Morning Friends,
Let’s not pull any punches. Today’s text does not. We all have a laundry list of transgression and we really do not want today’s question answered for we really know we do not measure up. But we are not quit up to a rigorous moral inventory either. Frankly we would like another way, one without so much shame. What Is Fair?
Scripture: But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live? But when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity and do the same abominable things that the wicked do, shall they live? None of the righteous deeds that they have done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the sin they have committed, they shall die. 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? 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. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:21-28 (NRSV)
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:20-26 (NRSV)
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Matthew 16:23 (NRSV)
Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
Matthew 26:34 (NRSV)
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:17-19 (NRSV)
His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:21 (KJV)
Message: Sometimes I think life is not fair because I am not in control of what is happening. Even when it comes to our salvation, Christ did all the work and we just basically submitted and yet part of us wants to earn it. Thankfully part of us knows that God’s way is better. Of course, it is easy to get into a sour grapes way of thinking, to fight with those we love in a rivalry that Jesus calls Satan. We desire to fight our way to freedom even if it kills us. And certainly, God may have a better outcome for us and yet we still complain, deny God and grieve the Spirit. Thankfully like Peter we might just learn that the sorrow of our sin can only be cured by love. Peter’s shame needed healing. And there is no other way but to be humbly joyful in our repentance as we pass on the love we have received.
Billy Graham who died this week, was mindful of death and the coming judgement. And he knew just how short life is and that we need to get right with God. When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Reverend Graham said that he only wanted one person to remember him. He was not sure he deserved it but he hoped Jesus would say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I think Peter might have had that very same hope. Perhaps you have it too. Yes friends, there is a moral code….one of love and relationships and we are not in control of them and ultimately that is fair because our control would stifle the Holy Spirit and that does no one any good. So, put down your animosity and shame and pick up your cross…. follow Jesus and love.
Pray we are remembered for being faithful Christians. Pray we are happy we have repented. Pray we realize that when it comes to death and God’s love we all are equals. Pray we not kill our conscience. Pray we respond to God’s love so we might be fit to enter the Kingdom of God. Pray we are thankful that Jesus comes to us. Pray we are thankful that God’s ways are not our ways. Pray the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Pray we repent, receive forgiveness and the share the love we have received.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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