I can imagine everyone reading is also seeing a great many things happening in today’s world. One of the striking things I’ve noticed is that we as a society have stopped questioning what is fair. I am noticing so many changes in our overall world character. We see so many people today suggesting they are fair, honest, about truth, justice, and even mercy — yet those attributes are not shown. We see the same in our institutions and wonder, are we truly questioning what is happening and what our Lord would think about these things?
Establishing Your Own Righteousness – Don’t!
Unfortunately, many are seeming to establish their own righteousness. What I mean by this is that many are busy seeking to be “right” before the Lord on their own terms. All of us may have been guilty of this at some point, but perhaps we eventually realized the truth and humbly submitted to the Lord through faith. While others continue to establish their own criteria for being deemed worthy, good, or righteous. These types of people usually say things like:
* “I’m a good person.”
* ”At least I’m not like those people.”
* ”My works prove I’m good and righteous.”
This type of thinking can result in a refusal to submit to God’s righteousness and replacing it with your own beliefs! Romans 10:3 says they “have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” These people are self-righteous despite being religious and disciplined; they refuse God’s way.
An Example In Today’s World…
Recently, we’ve seen both political parties engage in a race to change the seats in the US House of Representatives. Regardless of your political affiliation, ask yourself: is it fair to make changes that favor a particular party? Is it fair to allow groups of law-abiding citizens to have less or no representation to unfairly retain a majority?
We have to ask ourselves, regardless of political affiliation, are things like this fair? These types of things hurt people and make elections less competitive, less representative of a community, weaken some communities, and ultimately can decrease public trust in the government.
Biblical Fairness!
Let us all remember, God is impartial, and He does not show favoritism:
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords… who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”
— Deuteronomy 10:17
“God does not show favoritism.”
— Romans 2:11
In the above-referenced scripture, we see God’s character, and in that we see His desire for us to follow His example. The Word of God commands us to judge fairly and without biases. “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”— Leviticus 19:15. Additionally, we must understand that to be fair, the requirement is to treat others honestly. “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”— Proverbs 11:1.
God’s wishes are clear, and many people wish to ignore them as a result of their beliefs and self-righteousness, but not God’s righteousness. Fairness applies to government, work, business, money, friendships, and everyday life.
The Lord desires us to be fair to vulnerable people, placing special emphasis on orphans, widows, foreigners, the poor, the oppressed, and the powerless:
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
— Micah 6:8
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
— Isaiah 1:17
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
— Psalm 82:3
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.”
— Zechariah 7:10
“So I will come to put you on trial… against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice.”
— Malachi 3:5
In The World But Not Of It…
In summary, the world is changing, and many believe, not for the best. Yet, the Word of God states clearly, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” —John 17:14-16.
Let us all seek to be more like Christ; seeking to embody the actions and the character of the Lord. Let us seek to be fair and kind to each other, and not discriminate based on race, sex, sexual preference, political affiliation, or religious views. Let us seek to be FAIR and to be kind!
Let Us Pray
Remember, the Gospel is good news for all situations!
Voices In The Wilderness! 
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