Life Is Not Fair

In our world of freedom and choice, we have an idea that everything is going to be well for us in every thing. There is a sense of comfort that in our prosperity we will enjoy only good things. Difficulty and heartache are not accepted. Because of our own worth, everything must be fair. It is not an easy task to believe that life would be such that we would have to suffer. Many religious leaders today draw multitudes with their wealth and good health philosophy of life. In times of crisis, people find themselves in despair over the unfair consequences of what life brings.

For the child of God, life is understood in a proper way. Life can be harsh and cruel and it can be wonderful and kind. Life can be unfair. The Christian knows this all too well. Not because of self experience only but because the knowledge that God has given in His word is that life is not about the here and now but what awaits the faithful.

The focus of life is not what we gain here in the flesh but what is revealed in the spirit. No matter what may befall our lives here, we all seek a higher goal. The Bible is filled with stories of the faithful of God who could say, "Life is not fair," but rather they choose to trust in God. The lesson learned from their example is how we train our minds and our lives to look to the reward and the promise beyond this vale of tears and sorrow.

Was it fair that God punished Adam and Eve by casting them out of the garden of Eden to toil the land in the sweat of their face? (Genesis 3) Their suffering was the result of sin. They had a wonderful place to live and were told to eat of every tree in the garden. Because of their disobedience, they lost paradise. Suffering can come about because of the consequence of sin. Sexual immorality will bring its consequences in many ways. Drunkenness has destroyed lives by the thousands and people suffer every day because of it. Sin has consequences.

Abram was told to leave his country to journey to a place that he did not know. (Hebrews 11:8-10) "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." His life was turned upside down and it would never be the same. The faith of Abraham rested upon the realization that life was not about the here and now but the life that was to be.

Joseph suffered many things in his life and yet not once do we find him complaining to God. (Genesis 39-50) Life was not fair to Joseph but he still trusted in God and sought His pleasure. "The Lord was with Joseph." (39:2) Job suffered many things in his life. He lost his possessions, his ten children, his health and the respect of his friends. The book of Job is not about suffering but how Job retained his faith when life was unfair. Paul suffered a "thorn in the flesh." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) He pleaded with the Lord to remove it and the answer was: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (v9)

Life can be unfair. Our health may not be the best we would desire, tragedy may befall us, heartache and sorrow may cast a long shadow upon us but all in all and in the end, God is still there. It was unfair that Jesus had to die but He did. Can you not hear the plaintive cry of God's Son upon the cross when He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34) It was unfair but it was necessary. For the child of God, the hope of eternal life where no tears, no sorrow and no pain exist is the hope that burns bright within the heart of faith. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

By Kent E.Heaton Sr.

Return to the General Articles page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /