Do you think God is fair?

We’ve heard a lot about equality vs. equity in the past few years. Equality means everyone receives the same opportunity, while equity means everyone achieves the same result or arrives at the same outcome. You’ve probably seen the cartoon illustrating these two concepts, where three kids are watching a baseball game from behind a fence. Representing “equality,” all three are standing on the same size box. The tallest kid towers over the fence, the average kid is at just the right height to see over, and the littlest guy still can’t see. Representing “equity,” the tall kid doesn’t get a box, as he’s fine without it. The average kid is standing on the one box he needs, and the shortest kid now has two boxes so he can see. The idea is that those who have a disadvantage of any sort need extra help so that all can achieve the same goals.

I agree with this in theory. There are circumstances in life that warrant an extra “boost” in one way or another. The problem comes when men with fallen human natures define “disadvantage” or “advantage,” as well as determining what outcome is fair or needed, for all.

That’s why I love God and the truths of Christianity. God is equally just and fair to all men, and every single person has exactly what they need for the desired outcome – eternal life in heaven. In God’s economy, no one measures up to a greater or lesser degree of righteousness. We’re all equally sinful, equally lost.

Romans 3:10-12,23 – There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one. … For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

That’s equality. We are all equal opportunity sinners in need of a Savior. It doesn’t matter if you were born into a Christian home, attend church every week, give 10% of your money as a tithe, sing in the choir and serve on four church committees. You don’t get a pass into heaven for these things; you still are a sinner and must personally repent and believe in Jesus. Likewise, it doesn’t matter if you grew up in a home where God’s name was only used as a curse, have never darkened the door of a church, spend and make money on illegal things, and regularly break God’s commandments without a single thought. You’re not at a disadvantage; the floor is level, and you are a sinner just like the other person, in need of repentance and faith in Jesus.

God is also a God of equity. The same outcome applies to everyone based on a simple decision to accept or reject His gift of salvation. You see, in the world’s eyes, equity means you need something extra to achieve a result, or you need less of something to get to the same outcome. In God’s economy, no one earns anything – salvation is a gift, by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ. The results are exactly the same for everyone. Those who willingly choose to accept the gift spend eternity in heaven. Those who willingly reject spend eternity in hell.

Romans 3:21-24,27-28 – But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. … Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

That’s equity. All are justified (made righteous) as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. You don’t need anything extra to achieve it and you have no innate personal advantage that precludes your need of it. We are all beneficiaries of the equitable offer of salvation God made when He sent Jesus to the cross.

I ask you again, is God fair?

Christianity – true, biblical faith in Jesus is the only faith that offers true equality and equity. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and salvation is free for all who are willing to come.