BEING THANKFUL FOR UNFAIR GOD

BEING THANKFUL FOR UNFAIR GOD

Monday, March 20, 2017

Matthew [GW] 20:1-16  "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing to pay the workers the usual day's wages, he sent them to work in his vineyard. About 9 a.m. he saw others standing in the marketplace without work. He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about noon and 3 p.m. and did the same thing. About 5 p.m. he went out and found some others standing around. He said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day long without work?' "'No one has hired us,' they answered him. "He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, 'Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.' "Those who started working about 5 p.m. came, and each received a day's wages. When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received a day's wages. Although they took it, they began to protest to the owner. They said, 'These last workers have worked only one hour. Yet, you've treated us all the same, even though we worked hard all day under a blazing sun.' "The owner said to one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages? Take your money and go! I want to give this last worker as much as I gave you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?' "In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Luke 15 … I can guarantee that God's angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts." Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. …

Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, "So you're really the Messiah, are you? Well, save yourself and us!" But the other criminal scolded him: "Don't you fear God at all? Can't you see that you're condemned in the same way that he is? Our punishment is fair. We're getting what we deserve. But this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." Jesus said to him, "I can guarantee this truth: Today you will be with me in paradise."

  God is not fair, and I am so very glad for it! For if God was fair I would get justice: Precisely what was/is deserved at all times. Jesus pointed out this wonderful truth about our perfect Father: God being gracious and forgiving as opposed to our concepts of rigid fairness.

  Thoughtfully considering God’s Word I see that for me to expect life to be totally fair is immature, unrealistic, and especially ungodly. This admittedly is a Biblical precept conflicting with human concept. It is definitely difficult to wrap one’s mind around, and may be even harder to accept and to personally manifest in our present journey among others.

  Consider the Matthew 20 vineyard account.    

  Then there’s Luke 15:11-32. We like to favor the central character as “The Prodigal Son”, but actually the main person is the gracious Father. Identifying with the wayward child, a story we love to accept, unless of course we are of the mindset of the Pharisees and scribes (vs.2) . . . or the dependable responsibly living elder son (vs.28-30) with infantile view of the father’s way.

  Then let us not forget the totally unworthy person at Calvary.

  I much prefer God’s unfair treatment; living under His love, grace and mercy. How about you? 

EBB4