FAIRNESS

Fairness is not the same as equality. God doesn’t give us all the same circumstances, the same job, the same kind of family, the same environment in which to live. Since we are all unique individuals, he treats us differently in order to bring each of us to him. But he loves us all the same and desires the same salvation for us all. Fairness in how we treat others, then, involves weighing the circumstances and doing what is best for others. We may not be able to treat others equally, even our children, but we do need to be equal in the way we love and value those involved.

WHAT’S THE GOAL OF FAIRNESS?

Matthew 7:12 . . . Do for others what you would like them to do for you.

Isaiah 33:15-16 . . . The ones who can live here are those who are honest and fair.

Psalm 103:6 . . . The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

Being fair is making sure that right prevails, that people are not unjustly treated. It indicates we are thinking more about others than ourselves and that we have a sensitivity to their needs. It demonstrates a sense of justice that does not want to see evil or sin win. It is an inner desire for integrity and an outward desire to build up the self-worth of others. It is to be like Christ.

FAIRNESS IS NOT GETTING EVEN.

Proverbs 24:29 . . . Don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I’ll get even!”

Seeking justice against evil is fair and right; getting even is revenge.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE?

Isaiah 10:1 . . . Destruction is certain for unjust judges, for those who issue unfair laws.

Romans 2:5-6 . . . There is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done.

Fairness is playing by the rules; justice is holding other people accountable when they don’t.

IS GOD FAIR WHEN MY CIRCUMSTANCES SAY HE’S NOT? SOMETIMES IT SEEMS AS IF HE FAVORS ONE PERSON ABOVE ANOTHER.

Psalm 7:11 . . . God is a judge who is perfectly fair.

If God gave us what we deserved, none of us would make it to heaven, for the Bible says that all people have sinned against God (Romans 3:23). God is not only fair by offering us another way to heaven, he is merciful by giving it to us free. All we need to do is accept it (Romans 6:23).

Ecclesiastes 9:11 . . . The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy.

John 3:16 . . . Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God does not promise us equality of things here on earth, but he does promise that all have an equal chance of eternal life in heaven, where there will be no more adverse circumstances.

HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO TREAT EACH OTHER FAIRLY?

Exodus 23:2-3 . . . When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority. And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.

Leviticus 19:15 . . . Always judge your neighbors fairly, neither favoring the poor nor showing deference to the rich.

We must not show favoritism; we should judge others fairly.

Isaiah 33:15 . . . The ones who can live here are those who are honest and fair, who reject making a profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong.

Jeremiah 22:3 . . . This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors.

God wants us to work for justice and fairness for others.

Zechariah 8:16 . . . Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

In truthfulness and fairness, we recognize the other person as an equal.

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND WHEN LIFE ISN’T FAIR?

Ezekiel 18:25 . . . You say, “The Lord isn’t being just!” Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one who is unjust, or is it you?

We should not blame God for the unfairness of other people.

Psalm 9:8 . . . He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.

Isaiah 9:7 . . . His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice.

Recognize that God will ultimately triumph with justice and fairness.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Psalm 37:28 . . . The Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever.

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