Life is not Fair

Ezekiel 18: "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.

Ezekiel 18: Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?

Introduction When bad things happen - “It's not fair.” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Implies – Bad things should happen to bad people. Preacher skipped church to play golf. Got a hole in one. Who can he tell?

Fair The word “fair” is translated from a word meaning “measure, a standard of measurement.” Fair = equality, equal measurements, leveling Level the playing field.

1 – Are you fair with GOD? Matthew 7:1-2 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

2 – Are you fair with FAITH? Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. How is your faith? Strong, Weak, Dead, Growing, Shrinking

3 – Are you fair with KNOWLEDGE? Mark 4:24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

3 – Are you fair with KNOWLEDGE? 1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, Hebrews 5: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

4 – Are you fair with your GIFT? Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. God has given us talents, abilities, gifts to use in His service. How are you using these gifts?

5 – Will your PUNISHMENT be fair? Revelation 18:7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' Revelation 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."

When you use the standard of God's Word GOD IS FAIR!