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Response
How many of us, when we were children, were reminded of the undeniable fact that “life is not fair”? It is a difficult lesson, but one that we all learned, typically before leaving kindergarten. As adults, we are surrounded by proof that life is unjust: driving past multi-million-dollar homes with immaculate lawns and incredibly expensive sports cars parked in the driveway in our ten- to twenty-year-old cars. We witness people spending money extravagantly, while we struggle to cover medical expenses and put food on the table. We observe individuals who break the law but escape without consequences, and we see others who are blameless yet face unjust punishment. Centuries ago, King Solomon observed that life is unjust: “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” «I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. », (Ecclesiastes 9:11). No, life “under the sun” is not fair, prompting many to wonder, “Why not?”
Before we present some explanations for why life is unfair, we should perhaps clarify the concept of fairness, as much depends on that term. Some individuals define fairness as being “equal in every way.” However, this does not accurately represent fairness; we cannot equate “fairness” with “sameness” or “congruence.” Some people have curly hair, which is not “fair” to those with straight hair who desire curls. Some individuals have a natural talent for sports, which is not “fair” to those with poor muscle coordination or a congenital heart condition. Some people inherit money.Through a family business, which is not “fair” to those whose parents were not entrepreneurs. In each of these cases, fairness is not truly the issue. God, who is eminently fair, gives different gifts to everyone: “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” «Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? », (Romans 9:20). Our responsibility is to use the gifts God has given and “be content with what [we] have” «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5).
Fairness, properly defined, is “freedom from bias, dishonesty, or injustice.” To be fair is to be just; that is, to be “guided by truth, reason, and justice.” Whatever our outward circumstances, we can always choose to treat others fairly and thus make life a little more fair for those around us.
The basic reason that life is not fair— that is, life is not guided by truth, reason, and justice— is that we live in a sinful world occupied by sinful people. When people are selfish, impatient, or greedy, then they tend to act in ways that secure an advantage for themselves, with no thought of others. As a result, people are treated unfairly. Jesus told the story about the unjust judge. This judge “neither feared God nor cared what people thought” «saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: », (Luke 18:2). His rulings were not based on justice or anyone’s best interest except his own. He was a wicked judge, and Jesus called him “unjust” (verse 6). When unfair people are in positions of power,Then life is unfair for many people.
God is just, and He always acts in accordance with what is right (Deuteronomy 32:4; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7). God has commanded that His people also act justly (Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:15; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 56:1), but people do not always obey God’s commands. He gives them the freedom to disobey if that is their choice. Those who rebel against God do not seek justice, and that is one reason why life is not fair.
The psalmist Asaph grappled with the injustice of life when he started to envy the “prosperity” of the arrogant and wicked «For I was envious at the foolish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. », (Psalm 73:3). He goes on to depict how the wicked appear to be unjustly favored:
“They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore, pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff and speak with malice;
with arrogance, they threaten oppression. . . .
Always free of care, they continue amassing wealth” (Psalm 73:4-12).
When Asaph contemplated his own dedication to righteousness, he observed a distinct lack of reward, and he started to despair that life could ever be fair:
“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments. . .
When I attempted to comprehend all of this, it deeply troubled me. My heart was grieved, and my spirit embittered” (Psalm 73:13-14, 16, 21).
“Life is not fair,” acknowledged Asaph, and this fact bothered him. How could it be that deceitful, wicked individuals can thrive with various material blessings, while the righteous suffer? A valid question, particularly if God is in control. However, Asaph’s perspective shifted when he “entered the sanctuary of God” «Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then understood I their end. », (Psalm 73:17). Focusing on the Sovereign Lord, Asaph could see beyond this temporary world to grasp an eternal perspective:
“Then I perceived their end. Surely you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to destruction. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!” (Psalm 73:17-19).
Asaph’s conclusion was that the prosperity of the wicked, though unfair, is only temporary; the judgment of the wicked will be eternal. Conversely, the suffering of the righteous, also unjust, is only temporary; the reward of the righteous will also be eternal «For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; », (cf: 2 Corinthians 4:17).
A desire for life to be fair is commendable. God is just, and He “does not show favoritism” «Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: », (Acts 10:34), so our longing for fairness is a longing for oOne of God’s attributes is a love of justice and an effort to establish a fair experience for everyone is commendable: “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” «He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God?», (Micah 6:8). A balanced view of life requires an acknowledgment that life is not fair, at least in this world, along with a commitment to do what is right and a firm reliance upon God, who will one day make all things right «Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.», (Isaiah 40:4).
