Fair doesn’t mean equal.
I remember my student teaching experience and these words specifically. The teacher I worked with emphasized that with her students each year, and reminded them of it if complaints of fairness arose. She would seek to be as fair as possible with her students, but that did not mean it would be or look equal. Unfortunately, most people want equal, unless they can get “more” equal. Hmm, some pigs are coming to mind here, that thought themselves “more equal than others.”
For God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11)
Yet, right before that it says, “the Jew first and also the Greek.” Seems like partiality to me. However, that’s the problem, the “to me” part. Our human way of thinking is often twisted by sin, and we miss God’s best for a situation. Look at Absalom, and maybe David’s permissive parenting that fostered some of his behavior. He violently sought what he thought he deserved. But, did he really deserve it?
When will I fully set aside my fleshly judgments of others, and myself, to fully embrace God’s best? God’s discernment, God’s precepts, God’s purposes.
From Psalm 34:
Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Sometimes I want to do more to condemn the sinful reality that we live in these days, the harsh accusations of hate from the world as they speak about our faith which they cannot understand in their sin-darkened minds. God’s justice will come. There is a time to speak and a time to be still. Great judgment is coming, and I don’t need to take God’s role as my own. I do need to be discerning and speak out for those that can’t speak or speak loudly enough, but always resting in the peaceful truth that God is still on the throne, His justice will triumph and His kindness will lead them to repentance.
Lord, You are sovereign and wise, and incredibly patient. Thank you for your forgiveness that I could not have earned, but only claim because of Christ’s work on the cross. Help me to see your truth ever more clearly and to remember to act more after the example of your love, than in harsh response to the sinfulness I see and chafe at. Continue to transform my mind to Your way of thinking and the eternal perspective that needs to guide my daily choices. ~Amen
Erin (6intow)
Sixty-six books in a year 