Ecclesiastes 8:14-15
"There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too I say is meaningless. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. The joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."
Isn't it amazing to think that Solomon the wise, had the same thoughts that you and I have had! I am sure we have all said this very thing "It just isn't fair!" It seems you are doing things right, you are honest, dependable, hardworking, and yet your obnoxious, lying, cheating, corner cutting, lazy co-worker gets the promotion. You're faithful at attending worship each week, you read and pray daily, you don't gossip, you always volunteer, and you are just squeaking by in life, and the backstabbing, gossip, who attends church only when they need a juicy update on a church member is rolling in the cash!
I remember growing up I was faced with this thought that life isn't fair, and I went looking for advice from my parents as children do, and the answer I received really didn't help me, although it was partially true. "Son life isn't fair so get used to it" common advice from not only my parents but probably yours as well.
Really life being fair is all based on how we define "life". If you define life as the short amount of time we are stuck in these mortal bodies living here in a world filled with sin and corruption then you are right in saying that life is not fair. However I encourage you to take a Biblical view on life. Our lives are not only our time on earth our life is eternity as well. The Bible never talks about once our bodies die, we have another life, instead life continues. Although our bodies will die and pass away, our souls will simply move on to one of two options. Heaven or hell, not wondering on this earth because you have unfinished business, or haunting someone for moving into your house, or any other wacky ideas about becoming a cow, or a bug.
If we use that definition of life, which is God's definition than life is fair. In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats Jesus speaks very clearly of this. in this parable (short story used to explain something else) Jesus is speaking about judgment for our actions. Jesus closes the parable with these words:
"He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:45-46)
So the unrighteous sent away to eternal punishment (Hell) the righteous, those who had been made right in the eyes of God through Jesus Christ, went to eternal life (heaven). You see the short time you spend here on earth may be deceivingly unfair, however the righteous, and the unrighteous will be judged fairly and will reap whatever reward or punishment they have coming.
Action step for today:
Lift your head, stand up straight and enjoy your life as Solomon said. Regardless of the injustice that is taking place all around you. Keep in mind that life is not only our short years on earth but it is eternity, and if you have been made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, then rest assured that Jesus Christ is Fair, and Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
If Jesus is Life, you can be sure that LIFE IS FAIR!
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