That's Not Fair!

We hear it all the time. The kids say it when they don't get their way. People offer this protest when they believe they've been discriminated against (or at least when they think they can use that line to get what they want). Here in Arizona, university students who are not in this country legally are shouting it because Arizonans voted that illegal aliens should not get resident tuition rates. It's not fair that we are controlling our borders and it's not fair that some people make so much more money than other people. It's not fair to all the people that would benefit that Christians are opposed to embryonic stem cell research. It's not fair that other people get to do what we can't. It is extremely common for this phrase to be aimed at God. Whenever we think we've gotten a raw deal, "It's not fair!"

What we mean by that may vary slightly. Sometimes we mean "just", referring to something as "not fair" as "unjust". Other times -- more often, I suspect -- we mean "equitable". These two are not the same thing. To be "fair" is often thought of as "impartial" or "unbiased". But, as my dear mother taught me, "Whoever told you life was fair?"

R.C. Sproul tells the story of a college class he taught. At the outset of the freshmen course, he explained that papers would be due on October 1st, November 1st, and December 1st. Late entries would be an automatic "F". Well, on October 1st, 90% of the students handed in their papers. A few showed up sheepishly. When asked for their papers, they had reasons why they weren't done. "We're adjusting to college life." "There was just so much work we had to do." "Please give us until next week to finish." And the good professor acquiesced. "But, be sure to be on time for next month's paper," he warned. November 1st came around, and 80% of the students handed in their papers. The others were tentative. "We're so sorry, Dr. Sproul. We had so much homework for all our classes, we just couldn't get this one done. We'll do better next time. Please show mercy." And the good professor acquiesced. "But, be sure to be on time for next month's paper," he warned. The response was an almost spontaneous song. "We love you, Dr. Sproul; we love you so ..." December 1st came to pass, and maybe 75% of the class showed up with papers in hand. The rest sauntered in. Dr. Sproul started taking roll. "Johnson, where's your paper?" "Ah, don't worry about it, prof, I'll get it to you in a week or so." "Johnson, weren't you late in October and September?" "Yeah, but I'll get it done." "Johnson -- 'F'." The professor moved on. "Smith, where's your paper?" Smith wasn't quite as cocky. "I'm almost done with it." "Smith -- 'F'." And as he ticked on down the list of no-papers, the outrage rose. Instead of songs of praise, they erupted with the standby: "That's not fair!" So he asked them, "Johnson, you were late in October and September, weren't you?" "Yes." "You want fair?" "Yes." "Okay, then you have an 'F' for September and October. Who else wants fair?"

We are arrogant folks by nature. He died "before his time." Life didn't give her "a fair shake." People have the right to health care and long life and better living. "You deserve a break today." It is built into our nature -- our sin nature. God, we believe, is obligated to treat all humans the same way. He is not allowed to have any bias or inequity. He cannot love one over another. He cannot give to one over another. He cannot take from one rather than another.

Over against this faulty perspective is Scripture. "Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?' Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?" (Rom. 9:20-21). We don't recognize that we are universally an affront to His character, a stench in His nostrils, worthy of eternal damnation. If we were really aware of our true condition and just deserts, we would never cry to God, "That's not fair!" Instead, it would be a chorus of "Have mercy on me!"