(DOES  'FAIR' OR 'JUST' TREATMENT LEAD TO ANYTHING GODLY?)

by Cameron Paine

Introduction

 

Does seeking fairness lead to a goal of God? Does seeking fairness further God's goal for Christians? And does it further the mission he has set for them in this world ?

Is the goal of 'fairness' built on a solid biblical foundation the way a house should be built on a solid foundation? (Luke 6:49) Is the foundation upon which the concept 'fairness' rests the same as the facts/truths about reality that God declares to be so? F or example, "the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that ..." (Galatians 3:22) Is this statement of the Creator about reality an acceptable assumption to the world?

Is the world's concept or definition of what constitutes 'fair' treatment independent of, and excluded from, the authority and values that the Creator's standards reveal? Perhaps an even more potent question is this: 'Does the establishment or furtherance of a standard of 'fair' treatment for everybody in this world proclaim the Gospel and point people to Christ?

Suggesting the answer to these questions is what this meditation is all about.

 

Where The World's Ideas Sneaks In

 

Avenues through which the world's values and thoughts have penetrated deep into, or even become part of, the thought patterns of Christians is illustrated by the worldly terms like 'fair' and 'just' that sound so reasonable and good. Many worldly thoughts, terms or phrases seem to function in the background as silent justifications for behaving in certain ways. Many different worldly thoughts, terms or phrases bring about this result by incorporating a worldly set of arguments that lead to conclusions that the Bible says are not godly. The result is the apparent transformation of values the Creator says are ungodly values into values that appear good and therefore 'must be' godly values. A magical transformation!

What are some of the terms or phrases the people of the world use; What are some of the common concepts or expressions used by the world that beguile, that lure, that ensnare people (including some Christians like me) into thinking in worldly thought patterns (and acting accordingly). 'Fair' or 'just' are two such terms.

--Who is indifferent and never has the feeling that he or she has been treated unfairly or unjustly?

--Who likes to feel walked on, to feel pushed around, to feel he or she is being treated like dirt? Do any of these statements remind you of times when you felt you were being mistreated or treated unfairly?

--Perhaps you belong to a minority or even to an abused group of people (children)? So many inequities in life!

--Have the actions of other people raised doubts or questions about your integrity, veracity, intelligence, competence? Who likes being questioned, being interrogated, being 'put on the griddle'? Is that fair?

--Is there anybody (including Christians) who at some time have not been reproached, put down, insulted directly or by implication?

--How about the actions of other people that are meant to--or regardless of the motivation involved--do have the effect of intimidating or browbeating you. Who feels he or she deserves to be treated that way? It is so unfair!

-- Have you ever felt offended, cut to the quick, hurt, humiliated? Have you ever felt you don't deserve to be treated in such a manner? The world says, 'If you have the power to do so don't let others push you around!' The world says, 'stand up for your rights. But that is not what God says the individuals he has called out of darkness should be doing...

Over and over again the terms 'fair' or 'just' come up. They surround and permeate our thinking. We meet one or the other of those terms or the concepts they represent at almost every turn. But do those terms lead anyone to think and act in godly ways?

The idea or concept of fair vs. unfair treatment is not an idea foreign to the Bible. God speaks about people whose Focus is on the 'Unfairness' of the way they are being treated in this world.

•  When older brother of the 'Prodigal Son' (who had gone off to a distant land and used up his share of the family inheritance) heard the sound of music and dancing he asked a servant what was going on. When he heard the explanation he felt hurt; he felt his father had not treated him fairly! `Your brother has come,' (the servant) replied, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (Luke 15:27-32)

• On another occasion this concern about the distribution of wealth shows up in an inheritance matter: "Someone in the crowd said to him (Jesus), 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me' Jesus replied, 'Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?' (Luke 12:13-14)

While God the Creator does not talk about how the world's wealth is currently distributed he does say (as quoted above) that it is not his purpose to correct the existing distribution of this world's goods. Yet we frequently hear about individuals trying to get the best deal, the largest scoop of the world's wealth they can get. Advertisers are constantly appealing to the desire in people to acquire more.

• On another occasion a group of day-workers grumbled about being treated unfairly by the landowner who had hired them for the day. This occurred in a parable Jesus used to illustrate how the quest for 'fair' treatment may lead to an ungodly conclusion: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. "About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.  He told them, `You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.'  So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.  About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, `Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'  " `Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, `You also go and work in my vineyard.'  "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, `Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
  

"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.  So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.  When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.  'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, `and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

"But he answered one of them, `Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?  Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.  Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' (Matthew 20:1-15)

The Bible is not silent on the subject of individuals seeking more and more of the world's wealth. Jesus said to his disciples very pointedly: 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' (Luke 12:15)

 

 

 SEVEN WAYS THE BELIEF THAT MORE 'FAIRNESS', MORE   'FAIR' TREATMENT IS A GODLY STANDARD 
POINTS AWAY  FROM THE GOSPEL AND JESUS CHRIST

   

 

Now let's look at the idea of fairness and how it relates to the message which Christ was and which he proclaimed.

 

Doesn't The Bible Refer To A Concept Of 'Fair' or 'Just'?

I don't want people to think that the Bible doesn't ever speak well of a standard of fairness or just treatment. It does. But the only place that the Bible refers to an undefined standard indicated by the terms 'fair' or 'just' or 'right' is where Christians (not just anybody) are being told how they should treat other individuals especially their servants, slaves or employees.

• "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." (Colossians 4:1;see also Deuteronomy 24:14)

• "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

• "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)

While commands that use the terms 'right' and 'fair are given to masters or employers who are believers many other commandments that go far beyond the world's ideal of treating others fairly or justly are also aimed at believers. Believers are commanded to "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31) And again, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" etc. (Luke 6:26-27)

Other than in this very limited usage the concept of fair or just treatment of everybody (what they deserve) is not found in the Bible. The Word of God does not set this standard forth as a partial or total solution to the condition of this world. The Gospel, not 'fair' treatment is what the world needs. In many  fundamental ways the concepts of 'fair' or 'just' treatment points away from the Gospel and from Jesus Christ. (That is what the rest of this meditation is all about.)

FUNDAMENTAL WAY # ONE

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it focuses all attention on life in this world  which is the exact opposite of where Christians are told to be looking.

 

The Fundamental Outlook Or Focus Of Believers

 

• "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

• "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4) It was not me who said that 'No one can serve two masters.' The Bible says, you cannot serve both God and Mammon (perhaps from the aramaic word for 'riches') "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Luke 16:13; or Matthew 6:24) Nobody's focus, nobody's heart can be in two places or in two different 'time zones' (this world and eternity).

• In the first letter of the apostle John believers are commanded, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

• And he (Jesus) told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, `What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, `This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods  And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "
  

"But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-20)

• In the apostle Paul's letter to his church leader protégé, Timothy, we hear the authoritative advice given: " Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

• Jesus told his disciples, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ." (Luke 12:34) Jesus also said this in the Sermon on the Mount-Matthew 6:21)

He also said to them,  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. " (Luke 12:32-33)

• "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." (John 6:27)

 

 

More Verses That Contrast The Perspective of The Christian Outlook And The World's Perspective

 

 

• "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:25)
  
  
• "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25)
  
  
• The apostle Paul put it this way: " Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  But our (=believers') citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. " (Philippians 3:18-20)
  
  
• "He (Moses) chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.  He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." (Hebrews 11:25-26; see also Acts 5:41)

Believers should not be looking for equal treatment or just treatment in this world. Their 'good deeds' may not be acknowledged or rewarded in this world. "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14)

And again, "if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' lend to `sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:34-36)

"All these people (Old Testament saints) were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth." (Hebrews 11:13)

'These People' referred to above accomplished great feats for the Lord but their objective was not to make the world a fairer place and they themselves were not treated fairly because of their efforts. (see Hebrews 11:32-38)

Believers are commanded, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:13; see also 2 Timothy 4:7-8)

The world's goal is 'fair treatment'. Because God's goal is obviously something totally different the goal of 'fair' or 'just' treatment is a distraction; it is idolatry--setting up goal that is not God and does not lead to God.

 

Jesus' Behavior Illustrates Where His Focus Was

 

Believers are told about Christ: "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him [God the Father] who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23)

Jesus was not looking for justice or fair treatment in this world! It can't come from a world of individuals that according to God are under the dominion of sin (Galatians 3:22).

The writer of the book of Hebrews addresses Christians, saying, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)

How different is the focus of our savior, Jesus Christ. Although Christians in this world are immersed in a world of unbelievers--people that God says are under the dominion (control) of sin--Christians are commanded to conduct themselves according to God's standards. "Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you." (Proverbs 20:22; See also Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 2:23; 3:9)

The 'unfair' treatment Jesus had to experience did not change the way he thought and behaved. Should the 'unfair' treatment any Christian receives be grounds for changing the way any Christian thinks or behaves?

 

FUNDAMENTAL WAY # TWO

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it focuses attention on the physical 'self' and on the non-physical self, the psyche or ego

 

The Physical Self

The concept of 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ-- It does not discourage the indulging of the desires of the flesh whereas the word of God makes a point of doing just that.

• "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14)
  
  
• "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5)
  
  
• "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
  
  
• "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? (James 4:1) Christians are not immune from being distracted, from being lured, by the benefits and comforts this world affords
  .
• "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (Galatians 5:16-17)
  
  
• "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:13-14)
  
  
• "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day (of the Lord) will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." (Luke 21:34)
  
  
• "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)

• "It (the Gospel) teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." (Titus 2:12)
  
  
• "All of us (believers) also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." (Ephesians 2:3)

On one occasion when many of the 5000 people Jesus had just fed miraculously physically followed Jesus he said to them, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." (John 6:26)

Furthering God's goals, being a servant of God is not synonymous with doing more and more to satisfy the desires of the 'flesh'.

(The verses that illustrate God's standard as it applies more exclusively to the non-physical self are shown in connection with the next 'Fundamental Way')

So far the discussion of the serving of the self has concentrated on the gratification of physical or bodily desires. But the gratification of the physical or bodily desires are not the only kind of desires or good feelings associated with the aggrandizement of self or puffing up the 'ego'.

 

FUNDAMENTAL  WAY # THREE

 

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it is associated with an objective standard that can cover only behavior that is visible to human beings. God's standard, on the other hand, is concerned essentially with "the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" which only he can see and judge

 

What God Looks At

• "The LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7)
  
  
• "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10)
  
  
• "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." (1 Chronicles 28:9)
  
  
• "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)
  
  
• "Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." (Revelation 2:23)
  
  
• Jesus addressed these words to the religious leaders of the Jews. He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." (Luke 16:15)
  
  
• Perhaps the most vivid contrast between the world's objective or quantitative standard and God's standard is found in the apostle Paul's words--" If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. " (1 Corinthians 13:3)

How profound the difference is between the two standards and the different criteria that each standard uses can be seen in the behavior of individuals that seeks to exalt 'self' or the ego in  ways that may not involve the acquisition of any physical or tangible benefits (as occurred in the pandering to the pleasures of the flesh.) A form of self-serving which is even more ungodly than pandering to the passions of the flesh is taking place when individuals covet 'benefits' from the world which are not material or physical--benefits such as acceptance, praise, honor, fame. Because there may be no change in the distribution of tangible wealth this kind of self-seeking or self-serving cannot be seen. It cannot be measured or controlled. The particular sin connected to this kind of activity is the subtlest, so much so that all people including Christians often don't see it in themselves or subconsciously disguise it so well as to make it unrecognizable to themselves or most other human beings. What is it? Pride.

• "When he (Jesus) noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, `Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, `Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
  
  
• Humility was not the standard of behavior exhibited by the religious leaders of the Jews who were concerned that their behavior that could seen by others would appear to reflect total conformity to the law of God. Jesus said to them--'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight'." (Luke16:15)
  
  
• On another occasion Jesus said to these religious leaders, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you." (Luke 11:39-41)
  
  
• In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus was very explicit, saying, "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-6)
  
  
• "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44)
  
  
• To his disciples Jesus said, "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1)

• Another vivid illustration how different from a standard of 'fair' is the standard or criterion by which God judges what is pleasing to him (the proper character or quality of the heart) is found in the 12th chapter of Mark's Gospel. "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." (Mark 12:41-44)

 

The 'Great Physician's Instructions

 

God has been called 'The Great Physician'. Like doctors on earth he gives his 'patients' instructions about what they can do to help themselves and to please him. A great many of his instructions to believers are devoted to the matter of self image or ego--specifically how not to be self-serving.  God's standard of behavior for Christians, for the citizens of heaven, is not 'fairness' or 'equality';  but is on a much higher plain. 

• "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3 )
  
  
• "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

The internal change that is necessary to come up to God's standard-- "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)-- is not the result of a cure like surgery that is imposed on human beings but must come from within each person. What is needed is a change of heart, a change of outlook on one's position in the world and in time (which does not end with physical death). What is needed is the opposite of self-exaltation. And that is humility. Humility is the only godly view of self.

The example that Christ's behavior set for believers is the final word on how Christians should think and live. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

What was Christ's example? Referring to Christ the Bible says,  "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8;see also Mark 10:45)

Christ did not stop behaving as a servant when the going got rough and he was treated unfairly. (Was there any time in his life when the going wasn't rough and the treatment wasn't unfair?) The same is true of believers. They should never act or react in ways that don't exalt God especially when they are treated unfairly (or worse). "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Hebrews 12:2-4)

God says to believers, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

The standard of internal behavior which Jesus lived up to was totally different from an objective standard of 'fairness'. The difference between the world's standard and God's standard (which is binding only on believers) is not a matter of degree. What is ungodly cannot change its character (Jeremiah 13:23) and gradually become more and more godly. The difference between the world's ideal of a 'fair' or 'just' standard and the standard of God is as much a total difference in character as between a volcano and a brook. You can't even compare them. (2 Corinthians 6:14) A portion of Scripture dealing with disputes among believers shows how different God's standard is from a standard of 'fair' or 'just'.

• "If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers (fellow believers)." (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)

The values that God appreciates cannot be converted to, or translated into, a standard that is objective, intellectually definable, measurable or quantifiable. Making people's behavior conform to an objective standard or code of behavior (as has been carried out many times in history on a limited scale) has no bearing on what is meaningful to God which is where the heart is. "All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2; see above 'What God Looks At') Where the heart is is not always where the mouth says it is nor is it where observable behavior 'says' it is. Whether the observable behavior comes up to an objective standard or code of laws is irrelevant because it says nothing about the heart. (Colossians 2:20-23)

The concept of 'fair', 'fairness', 'just treatment' promotes not only the serving of the appetites of the flesh as was pointed out in 'Fundamental Way number Two it also promotes the 'subtler' or harder-to-see forms of serving self which were illustrated in Fundamental Way # Three.

The Bible itself speaks to the issue of whether an objective standard of proper behavior is serves any basic purpose of God, saying, "By observing the law (referring to the perfect law of God) no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:16) And again, "if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law (the one the Creator himself constructed)." (Galatians 3:21; see also 2:21)

 

FUNDAMENTAL WAY # FOUR

              The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard
               points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it is not the correct
                               answer to the turmoil in society  and it covers up the truth.

A particular plan of treatment for the body implies or 'points to' what the particular 'disease' is that the treatment is designed to cure. The concept of 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' functions the same way: it points to the 'disease' or problem. The world's solution --a standard that is fair and just to all-- sounds like such a good and fair solution to the inequities in the world that so many people suffer from. In this case the solution, the treatment plan points in the wrong direction the way an incorrect road sign 'points' in the wrong direction. While it is true that a successful cure must be based on a correct diagnosis, in this case the greatest cost or negative consequence of believing that 'fair' or 'just' treatment is the solution to the world's problems or the problem of eternal life and eternal death is not that the cure is unsuccessful but that the true nature of the problem or disease (a bad heart) is being covered over so the Gospel is not seen as the answer. 

Not only is a wrong diagnosis and a wrong solution or treatment plan a mistake; it is also a distraction. It diverts attention from the correct diagnosis and also from the need to look for the correct diagnosis. It functions like a road sign that points in the wrong direction. A sign pointing the wrong direction is more harmful than no sign at all. The belief that more 'fair' or 'just' or 'equitable' treatment of everyone is what the world needs does not harmonize with the Gospel message. The reason it does not harmonize with what God says about the creation he created is because it assumes something is true that the Bible denies --that when individuals become aware of what constitutes 'fair' and 'just' treatment those individuals will change and treat one another in ways that are 'fair' or 'just'. Such an idea is of course an outright denial of what the word of God says in Galations 3:22 and what the continual fighting between men throughout history demonstrates.

Not only is the diagnosis wrong but the reasons the suggested cure is ineffective is because the suggested cure ('more people treating other people fairly') does not have any affect on the real 'disease' which is, according to God, the 'bad heart'. "The Lord says: 'these people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (Isaiah 29:13)  And because it is the 'bad heart' or 'wrong desires that is the problem any standards of 'fair' or 'just' behavior are or will be ignored, violated, transgressed. This happened with the law or code of ethics that the Creator himself created. "For what the law (of God) was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:3) Why should anyone think it will not happen with every standard or code created by creatures who sin?

Violations of God's standards (or anybody's standards for that matter) comes not from a lack of knowledge of those standards or from improper upbringing but from an emotion--a desire not to live by those standards, from an unwillingness to live by those standards. Back in ancient Egypt when the Israelites were slaves there, the ruler "Pharaoh said, 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.'" (Exodus 5:2;see also Job 21:15;Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:28) "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8)

Over and over again commandments were addressed by God to believers telling them not to be filling the desires of the flesh or the sinful nature. "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14; see also 'The Physical Self ' and Fundamental Way #3

The 'answer' is not bringing about more 'fair treatment' among people on earth. That is a false direction. If it were true it would bring peace on earth even among those who don't believe in the Creator. And that will never be.

Teaching people by example or in word to think that treating other people fairly will produce more godliness in the world is like a road sign pointing in the wrong direction, a road sign saying the 'solution', the 'good life' is in direction the sign is pointing. It is a distraction (what the Bible calls idolatry or spiritual adultery). It does not lead to the Gospel.

FUNDAMENTAL WAY # FIVE

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it completely ignores the issue that concerns God--eternal life and eternal death

 

 

What is the mission God gave to his disciples? "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

It is because the focus of Christians is on what lies ahead instead of on the distribution of this world's material wealth that Christians have a message for unbelievers.

What does the apostle Peter says to his believing addressees? "The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:10-13; see also Is.65:17; 66:22)

Believers know the destiny of every individual who dies in unbelief, who dies not being in Christ. Without the benefit of Christ's sacrifice and continuing intercession everyone's destiny is a sentence of condemnation the same way the people in Noah's day who were not in the Ark were destined to be drowned in the flood. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Believers are commanded to " fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) And again, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Then the apostle explains his meaning further: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)

If believers are not to be focusing on how much of the world's wealth they have and on opportunities for acquiring more of it is right for Christians to be encouraging unbelievers to be thinking about or setting their hearts upon what this world has to offer? The focus of Christians is on their home in eternity  (2 Peter 3:11,13) while discussions of what is 'fair' or 'just' set the mind of unbelievers on life in this world.

 

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard
points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it implies that the more the ideals of fairness, justice, honesty, impartiality, objectivity are set forth by    example and by word the more the opposition of evil to the individuals who exhibit these ideals will decrease. But that belief is not true

The belief that the goal of fair treatment is a realistic ideal is based on the assumption that what the Bible says is wrong, and in contradiction asserts that everyone is not born under the dominion of sin and remains under the dominion of sin unless the Lord rescues him or her from that state. But according to the Bible to be treated fairly is not what believers should be seeking or expecting. They are told to expect to be looked upon and treated as hated objects by the society of unbelievers.

The examples of persecution that follow set forth the world as God says it is--the world which is under the dominion of sin

• Jesus said to his disciples-- "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own....Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:18-19,20)
  
  
• "The world....hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. " (John 7:7)
  
  
• "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
  
  
• " Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." (Luke 6:22)
  
  
• "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." (1 Peter 4:14)
  
  
• "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
  
  
• "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12; See also Acts 14:22. For the apostle Paul's own experience as a believer see Acts 20:23 & 2 Corinthians 11:23-27)
  
  
• "They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God." (John 16:2)

The goal of setting up a standard of 'fair' treatment is a goal designed to get better treatment of individuals by other individuals so that the individuals will feel better because they are not being treated unfairly (mistreated) in the present. The goal of changing or seeking to improve the way everybody (especially ourselves) is treated is very different from behaving in the way God wants his people to behave (blamelessly) regardless of the kind of treatment that such behavior brings upon oneself in this world such as tribulation, unfair treatment, persecution, suffering. Persecution-- active demonstration of hostility--should be expected. Persecution by unbelievers, not approbation by them, is a consequence of God-like behavior. 

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know." (1 Thessalonians 3:2-4)

The world isn't going to change into a more just one or a fairer one because some people treat others as God would have them do. Don't expect to be appreciated because you do what is godly. Abel didn't change his brother Cain. Because Cain resented the fact that he was not treated by God as well as his brother Abel because his brother was righteous he murdered Abel. (Genesis 4:8 & 1 John 3:12) That, and not fairness is the way of the world. (Hebrews 11:32-38)

• "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
  
  
• "For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

What did Jesus say to his disciples on the very night he was to arrested, tried, and sentenced to die? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

.

FUNDAMENTAL WAY # SEVEN

The idea that 'fairness', 'fair treatment' or what is 'just' is a godly standard points away from the Gospel and Jesus Christ because it is associated with idea of appropriate rewards. But the idea of appropriate rewards or getting what a person deserves is contrary to the Gospel message

 

Getting what you think is 'fair' means getting what you think is 'just'. Getting what you think is 'fair' means getting what you think you deserve, not what God thinks you deserve. Fairness is built on the idea of that every individual should receive what he or she deserves--and that every individual is equally entitled to this treatment. But that idea is absolutely incompatible with the message of the Gospel which is that everybody "falls short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and therefore deserves death (Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:22). The message of the Gospel is that even though it is true that everyone deserves the punishment of death those individuals who believe that Christ sacrificed himself to save them from that deserved judgment have in fact been delivered from that deserved judgment.

That Christ took the punishment of this deserved judgment in their stead was not an act of justice or fairness but an act of mercy "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:3-5) The Gospel message is not that God is bringing about the circumstance that everyone is treated justly--as they deserve but that those individuals who fear him are not treated as they deserve. "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit" (Psalm 32:1-2) And again, "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:10-12)

Thank God he does not treat us 'fairly' or as we deserve!

What sinners need is not somebody to see that they receive what they deserve but somebody to pay the price for their misdeeds. That is what God provided for them. That is what the message of the Gospel is. The Gospel is not a message about 'fairness'; it is one of mercy.

 

CONCLUDING REMARKS

 

Does seeking fairness further a goal of God? ---- No. It sets people's minds on this life which is not where anybody who has been called out darkness should be setting their minds and hearts. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame  (Hebrews 12:2)

Does seeking fairness further God's goal for Christians -- that they might be more dedicated to acting in a godly way as Christ did despite the way they have been treated (whether 'fairly or unfairly)? --- No. "When they hurled their insults at him (Jesus), he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:23)

And does it further the mission God gave to Christians, the mission of making everyone a disciple of, a follower of, and a believer in, Christ--that he was God incarnate? ----No. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20) It is constantly reinforcing the idea that the world's goal is worthy which it isn't. It can't be. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Is the goal of 'fairness' built on a solid biblical foundation the way a house should be built on a solid foundation? --- Hardly. The assumption that the attempt to bring justice into this world is built on is the belief that what God says is not in fact true. "The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." (Galatians 3:22).

The standard or definition of what constitutes fair treatment that the world is trying to come up with is independent of, and unconstrained by, God's standards. Why? Because the message of unbelievers is that what the Bible says is a lie, a myth, a delusion.

Does the establishment or furtherance of a standard of fair treatment for everybody in this world proclaim the Gospel and point people to Christ? --- Most certainly not. It calls God a liar. Why would the world want to point anybody to him?

Feeling that the way we are treated is 'unfair' and should not be allowed to continue leads to the thought or belief that what the world needs is not what God provided (the sacrifice of his Son) but is the imposition of a standard of behavior (one that is better than the law which God created-- (Galatians 3:21) that will promote the good life by eliminating the inequities in the world which cause turmoil and avoidable suffering.

Viewing the way we are treated as 'unfair' is the result of applying a concept that is hardly ever found in God's standards. Not only is a standard of 'fairness' not a goal of God it becomes a distraction from God's goals the way a road sign that points in the wrong direction is worse than no sign at all. A road sign pointing in the wrong direction, a road sign saying the 'solution', the 'good life' is in direction the sign is pointing is a distraction (what the Bible calls idolatry or spiritual adultery). Teaching people by example or by word to think that increasing the amount of 'fair' treatment of people does not lead to the Gospel.

Do sinful human beings have the right to say that aspects of the Creator's design of this world is flawed--inequitable--and needs to be readjusted to be made more 'fair' --according to the values and wisdom of creatures many of whom don't believe the Creator even exists?

Let us who believe not be so immersed in the thinking and accepted values of the sin-dominated world which is continually reminding individuals how mistreated they are; how unfair! Was Christ treated fairly and the way he deserved? What response other than thanksgiving (in word and/or deed) is possible for anyone who realizes that God has not treated him or her fairly (according to what he or she deserved) but with mercy. "Therefore," says the apostle Paul to his Christian brethren, "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1)

 

 

(If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guest book on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it.)   mailto:camppp21355@comcast.net

Back to Homepage
Back to Complete Table of Contents