Life Isn't Fair? by Dennis Swick

One day you can be out in the snow, enjoying the warm sunshine and watching the white billowy clouds overhead as they move against the majestic blue sky. And in this moment, seeing with your eyes all beauty around you, breathing the fresh air, and feeling an inner peace inside, the contentment that overcomes you is hard to explain with words.

Now there is another side to how life unravels itself. Here is the sad story about Midi and Nathan, the wife and young son of Mark Mikasa. Read Mark’s story: It turns out that Mark took his sons Lucas and Nathan to school everyday in his van and his wife rode with him. An accident happened involving the van on the evening of January 1, 2008 while the family was driving home from Marks family’s house for a New Years Day family gathering. It was around 9pm. This is Mark’s account later after the accident occurred:

“I had scheduled to go with a Deputy to see the van. I wanted to retrieve some personal items: Lucas & Nathan's backpacks with their names embroidered on them, their jackets, some toys, and the garage door opener. I expected to have a hard time and to break down. My friend/brother Clayton went with me. The van was being kept in a warehouse/lot that was full of wrecked cars in downtown L.A. As we parked and started walking to the lot, I started to feel very uneasy. I was scared of seeing the van. After the deputy signed some papers, the man at the lot escorted us to the van. When I first saw the van, I couldn't believe how mangled it was. Though I was conscious after the accident, I recall very little. At some point I think I went into shock. Visually, I only remember seeing Lucas sitting in his car seat behind me, conscious. I also remember crying to an officer, "Please tell me this is a nightmare." Beyond that, my next memory is being in the hospital.) ***Note: The following is a detailed account of what I saw. The images may be painful to read about. Please skip to the last paragraph if you do not want to know details of what I saw.*** The passenger side of the van was completely caved in. The passenger seat in the front had been pushed all the way into the driver seat. The top of the passenger seat was collapsed like an accordion. About a week ago, I discovered that when the emergency help arrived on scene, Midi was laying across my lap. When I saw how the passenger seat was crushed up against the driver's seat, I could visualize Midi lying across my lap. I wept. I am weeping even now as I am remembering. My wife, partner, and best friend died in my lap.”

“Then I looked in the back. The seat behind the passenger seat, where Nathan sat in his car seat, was also pushed through the middle and into the seat behind the driver's seat, where Lucas was sitting. Though the entire seat was pressed in at an angle, the car seat was remarkably intact. But I saw a large bloodstain on the seat. My sweet son Nathan must have been bleeding from the left side of his head. I sobbed. I am sobbing now. Nathan suffered a fatal injury. At around 7AM the morning after the crash, I held him as he died in my lap.”
( http://mmmikasa.blogspot.com/)

Thinking about this situation, I am sure that countless of other stories come to mind. I for one can give examples of where I got sugar diabetes type 1 at age 5 and had to deal with difficult situations for 50 years, not to mention my family. Or another example is me having brain cancer at age 47 and dealing with that whole scenario. I never remember doing anything wrong enough to deserve it. And I could have complained that “life was not fair!”

Now thinking about examples from the Bible, there are many examples given where life seems to be unfair. For example, there was the life of Moses who floated down the Nile River in a basket as a baby boy because his mother feared that he would be drowned by order of Pharaoh (Exodus 1:22). Was it Moses’ fault that Pharaoh wanted to kill all the baby boys?

Or King David who had committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) and they had a son from their sexual union. From 2 Samuel 12:18 it says the baby son died the seventh day after being born. So what did the baby do to deserve death? Anything?

People use the argument all the time: “I don’t deserve to go to hell. I am not a bad person. How could a loving God make such a place as hell and have people suffer there for eternity? If that is true…God can’t be love!”

You reap what you sow

It says in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

There are consequences for everything we do. The court room exists just for this very reason! There is a judge, lawyers and jury because of the fact that what is sown is also reaped and it is difficult to define who sowed it? All that man does functions because of boundaries, limits, and rules. If we lived in a world of anarchy, nothing would work. All the atoms of every particle function on the very fact that they are controlled by boundaries, limits, and rules.

Here is a list of consequences for actions that we may have originated:

• Staying in the sun too long could cause skin cancer.
• Smoking cigarettes or breathing bad air could cause lung cancer.
• Not stopping at a stop sign could cause you to have an accident.
• Drinking too much alcohol and driving under its influence could cause an accident or someone could die.
  

(Different kinds of Insurance policies exit just because of these consequences).

Now let us consider just two of God’s laws. The first one is concerning lying. It says in Colossians 3:9, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” (Proverbs 24:28; Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20). Lying itself comes from the heart (Matthew 15:19). God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). The consequences of lying are:

• People don’t trust what you tell them.
• You loose your credibility when you speak.
• The Lord hates liars. Proverbs 12:22.
• Liars die young. Psalm 55:23.
• Liars are headed for hell. Revelation 21:8.
  

The second example is of stealing. It says not to steal in these passages: Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 19:11; Deuteronomy 5:19. Stealing is considered a form of robbery. It is taking what belongs to someone else and making it your own. It says in Leviticus 19:13, “Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him…” An example of stealing would be committing adultery (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; 20:10). You are married legally but you decide to have a sexual affair with someone with whom you are not married. This would be stealing and would be considered adultery. For committing adultery in the Old Testament, death was the punishment (Leviticus 20:10). The persons caught would be stoned to death (John 8:3).

But stealing could be applied to other subjects. Some of the items that could involve stealing are:

• Not declaring properly all the money you made on your Income Taxes.
• Taking credit for something that you really didn’t do.
• Keeping or taking something that really doesn’t belong to you.
• Copying something and acting like it was yours from the start.
  

Now there are consequences for everything we do as Galatians 6:7 teaches. What we “sow” is exactly what we “reap”. Exodus 34:7 teaches, ““… [God] He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation”. So there are not only consequences for what we do, but there are also consequences for what others do way before us. In fact, we are dealing now with the sin of Adam, which was the first man created. His sin was passed onto us (Romans 5:12). Because he sinned, the whole human race is considered sinful except for Jesus (Romans 3:23; 5:13; Psalm 51:5; (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22, 23; Hebrews 7:26-28; 1 John 3:4, 5; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Hebrews 4:15; and 9:14).

Moderation

It is also important to mention “moderation”. In Philippines 4:5 it says, “Let your moderation be known to all men”. Now the word “moderation” is used in the King James Version, but the word “gentleness” is used in the New International Version. So let us consider some other passages that teach “moderation”. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 it states in the NIV, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”. Here Paul is talking about having “self-control” of his body. In Galatians 5:23 we see the word used of “self-control” which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that indwells us (Ephesians 1:13). And in 1 Corinthians 7:5 the word “self-control” is also used. So we see that it is important to use self-control and to do things in moderation because, as 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 teaches, “…you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”

The word “self-control” implies you are in control of yourself. You have control over the amount of food you eat, where you go, or even what you do. There are many people who have “self-control” but that doesn’t mean they all are believers in Christ and are His disciples. Matthew 13:24-30 talks about tares being sown among the wheat. In verse 30 He says, “Let both [tares and wheat] grow together until the harvest…” So there are some that can be observed as controlling themselves, but that doesn’t mean they are true Christians. They may seem to be able to control their weight, control their bank accounts and even control their wives….but that doesn’t mean they are spiritually in control.

According to Ephesians 1:13, after we confess that we are sinners (Mark 1:5; Luke 5:8; 15:18) and receive Christ as Savior (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12) we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We are dead in sin (Mark 7:21; Romans 6:2), but we are made alive to God (Romans 6:11). The human spirit that dwells with in us is dead to God (1 Corinthians 2:11) but the Holy Spirit that comes and dwells in us is alive because it is God’s Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). So we end up having two natures, an old nature and a new spiritual nature (Romans 8:1-27; Galatians 5:13-26; 6:7-10). These two fight with each other (Romans 7:7-25). But as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) with the Word of God and His Holy Spirit living in us (1 Corinthian 6:9) we abide in Christ (John 15:1-8) and we bear much fruit as branches from a vine should (John 15:5). We need to die to ourselves daily (crucify the sinful nature with its passions and desires - Galatians 5:24) and do the will of God (1 Corinthian 15:31; Romans 12:1; Luke 22:42; Matthew 6:9-13). So self-control is actually giving control to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, to do the will of God (Galatians 5:22-25). We are not to quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) or grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30).

Now there are those that are involved in eating too much, overdosing on drugs, gambling, sexual acts, and drinking too much alcohol just to name a few things. Most of these are considered to be addictive behaviors, going from something very mild to ending up in tragedy (Romans 1:21-32). And it is obvious that all these issues end up in having serious consequences. Let us just consider the issue of drinking alcoholic beverages. It is interesting to note that one of Jesus’ first miracles was at a wedding where he turned water into wine (John 2:1-12). It also states in 1 Timothy 5:23 that the Apostle Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach and for frequent illnesses. But these two verses don’t advocate that moderation or self-control doesn’t apply! Some of the consequences of drinking too much alcohol could be:

• Hangovers
• Distorted vision, hearing, and coordination
• Impaired judgment
  
• Altered perceptions and emotions
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Cancer of the esophagus and larynx.Pancreatitis
  

God is just

The justice of God can be seen in the following verses:

• Deals with earth justly – Genesis 18:25
• Justice is the foundation of His throne – Psalm 89:14
• There is no injustice in God – Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 30:18
• God will not pervert justice – Job 34:12
• God is the Almighty Judge – Job 34:17
• God will judge in righteousness – Psalm 7:11
• God judges all the earth – Genesis 18:25; Acts 17:31
• God judges with equality – Psalm 96:10
• God will judge men’s secrets – Romans 2:16
  
• God does not show partiality – Deuteronomy 16:19
• God loves justice – Psalm 99:4; Isaiah 61:8.
  

We can see from these verses that God is just. He cannot change the way He is (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). He does not change His mind (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 31:2). When He gave His laws to man, they could not be broken. His laws are Holy (Romans 7:12) and they reveal the Holiness of God (Romans 7:12). The laws reveal to man what sin is (Romans 7:7). When Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (1Peter 1:19; Hebrews 10:19), that’s what it means. Someone had to pay with blood for the breaking of God’s laws in order to be forgiven. But not just any blood would do. It had to be perfect and holy blood (Hebrews 9). Jesus offered Himself and His blood to pay the price for sin (Hebrews 7:27; 9:28). But Jesus was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22, 23; Hebrews 7:26-28; 1 John 3:4, 5; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Hebrews 4:15; and 9:14). Yet He was the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). With His spotless blood (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26) He became a ransom for our sin (Hebrews 8:15). And with His blood, God accepted the sacrifice He made for sin (Hebrews 10:19; 9:22; 1 Peter 1:19). God’s justice is now satisfied and those who believe and are in Christ Jesus are not condemned for their sins (Romans 8:1). They are declared free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

It is interesting when we look at the life of Jesus. We learn several things about Him:

• He was God. Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; Revelation 1:8; 22:13, 16; John 8:58.
• He was the Creator of the Universe. John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:2.
  
• He became a man. John 1:14.
• But He not only became a man, He became a servant which was the lowliest form of a man (Phil. 2:7).
  
• He was born in a cattle trough in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7; Micah 5:2) which of itself is despicable for the Creator of the Universe (Colossians 1:16).
• Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) who had no sexual relations with her husband to be.
• He lived his younger years as a carpenter’s son (Matthew 13:55).
  
• He faced temptation just like humans (Hebrews 4:15).
• Then later Jesus went through all kinds of experiences that we can read about in the four Gospels.
• He was sinless. Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22, 23; Luke 23:15, 47; Matthew 26:60; 27:54.
  
• But He paid the price that God the Father demanded for sin (Hebrews 9:22) with his own blood (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:19, 22; Revelation 5:9; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). He was accused of being the “Son of God” (Messiah - in Matthew 26:63; Mark 14:64; Luke 22:70; 23:2-3) which He never denied! In fact, He had proven He was “Messiah” by the different things He did like changing water into wine (John 2:1-11); healings (John 4:46-54; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 9:27-31; John 9:1-7); casting out demons (Mark 1:34); resurrecting the dead back to life (John 11:17-44); feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:34-44); miraculous signs (John 2:23; 3:2); walking on water (Matthew 14:24-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21); and even forgiving sin (Matthew 9:2-6; Luke 5:24).And He went through the following things in order to pay for our sins:

1. They blindfolded Him and hit Him. Luke 27:64; Matthew 27:30.
2. They insulted Him. Luke 22:65; Mark 15:32.
3. They spit on Him. Matthew 27:38.
4. They flogged Him with 39 lashes on His back causing Him to bleed severely. John 19:1.
   
5. They accused him of being the Messiah. Matthew 26:63.
6. They crowned Him with thorns. John 19:2; Matthew 27:29.
7. They made Him carry His roman cross part of the way. John 19:17.
8. They stripped Him of His clothes, humiliating Him. John 19:23; Matthew 27:28.
9. They crucified Him on a roman cross along with 2 other criminals. He died considered a criminal. Luke 23:32-34.
10. They mocked Him. Luke 23:36.
11. People sneered at Him. Luke 23:35.
12. They nailed His hands to a roman cross. John 20:25.
13. He hung on the cross for 6 hours, from the third hour to the ninth hour. Mark 9:33.
14. They gave Him vinegar and water on a sponge for His thirst after 6 hours. John 19:29.
15. He died painfully. His heart was literally broken (John 19:34; Matthew 27:46-50).
    

Conclusion

So how could Jesus who is God, perfect and without fault, pay the price for my sin, the sin that I had committed? I ask, “Is that fair? Is that just?” And my answer would be: “of course not!” All that He suffered and died for was because He met God’s demands for justice. God is a just God. He cannot change. His justice about sin and the price for committing it had to be met and Jesus met it by paying the price with His own blood.

Galatians 6:7 says that what we reap was what was sown and we are reaping what was sown. But it was not part of God’s justice that He also displayed His mercy on us. Justice will be paid out at the Great White Thorn Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15. And many will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Hell) for all of eternity because they will be “judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12). There we read that God will judge fairly and justly.

But His mercy was poured out on those who believe in Jesus, confess their sinfulness, and accept Jesus’ blood as the payment for their sin. To them there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1; Proverbs 28:13). May this be true of you and me!