When Life’s Not Fair (#128 of 365+)

Joni spoke briefly of one woman’s tragedy. Stories like that can make someone ask, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” But the question has a faulty premise. Although my
heart goes out to Vicky for all she’s had to endure, bad things can and will happen to everyone. I live in a fallen world, with fallen people. There is no such thing as a good person. I use the word “good” too loosely—perhaps it’s a subconscious attempt to bring goodness down to an attainable level—but even the dictionary says it should be reserved for the most honorable, noteworthy, and excellent things. “Good” and “very good” were the words God used to describe his Creation before The Fall (Genesis 1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). “Not good” was what God thought when Adam didn’t have the companionship of Eve yet (Genesis 2:18). And “good” was the word Jesus used to burst a rich man’s bubble...

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone” (Mark 10:17-18)

Recently I heard a radio bible teacher explain that rich young man had no idea he was talking to God. Apparently he had no idea what the real meaning of “good” was either. He thought he was a good person because he had faithfully kept the law since childhood. Surely eternal life based on his own merit was well within his grasp! Yet, instead of receiving confirmation from Jesus, he received a lesson in humility. Jesus knew the young man’s secret idol was money, so he challenged him to the first and most often overlooked commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. He told him to give away all his possessions to the poor and follow him.

“At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:17-22)

Maybe some would think that wasn’t very fair of Judge Jesus. After all, the young man had kept most of the law and he was trying to do his best. But God says perfection is the standard and he doesn’t grade on a curve. The only two grades are A+ or zero, and I’ll get a zero because at the core I’m a wretched sinner who deserves judgment.

What’s really unfair is the only completely sinless man who ever lived was tortured and executed for no good reason. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ willingly took upon himself all of sinful mankind’s worst traits so he could give all his best in return. After having received his grace—the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God—how could I ever again complain that life isn’t fair?

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Lord, thank you for giving me every good thing when I deserve absolutely nothing. May I always be a faithful steward who brings honor to your name. Amen.