2. He’s God, He has to be fair, right?

3. Many Wonder “Why, God?” Natural Disasters: hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis, floods, avalanches, etc. Natural Disasters: hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis, floods, avalanches, etc. Diseases: Mental/Physical handicaps, cancer, Rabies, Dengue, Yellow Fever, etc. Diseases: Mental/Physical handicaps, cancer, Rabies, Dengue, Yellow Fever, etc. Tragedies: financial, freak accidents, drunk drivers, drive-by shooting, etc. Tragedies: financial, freak accidents, drunk drivers, drive-by shooting, etc. Social injustices: judgments; rich taking advantage of the poor, etc. Social injustices: judgments; rich taking advantage of the poor, etc.

4. Then, We Observe Life: Psalm 73:1-5 “Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.”

5. Human Wisdom = God is Unjust! King David sinned ~ and his son dies. 2 Sam. 12:13-14 (cp. Ezek. 18:20) King David sinned ~ and his son dies. 2 Sam. 12:13-14 (cp. Ezek. 18:20) The parable of unfairness. Matt. 20:1-16 The parable of unfairness. Matt. 20:1-16 This wisdom causes even God’s faithful to sometimes question His “fairness”. Jer. 12:1-2 This wisdom causes even God’s faithful to sometimes question His “fairness”. Jer. 12:1-2

6. And Then We Look In The Mirror We see a person undeserving of salvation. We see a person deserving God’s wrath. We see a person undeserving of salvation. We see a person deserving God’s wrath. We also see God sending Another (a Savior) to take the place of our deserving sins. We also see God sending Another (a Savior) to take the place of our deserving sins. Why? Why?

7. Romans 3:25-26 …this was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

8. God’s Justice/Fairness is Holy! Because of our human reasoning we have difficulty with God’s wisdom, let alone standard of righteousness. Cp. Isa. 55:8-9 Because of our human reasoning we have difficulty with God’s wisdom, let alone standard of righteousness. Cp. Isa. 55:8-9 And, we are grateful to a God who saves undeserving sinners from His deserving wrath. And, we are grateful to a God who saves undeserving sinners from His deserving wrath. Therefore God’s people patiently endure the trials of this life knowing that justice will be served. Cp. Rev. 6:9-11 Therefore God’s people patiently endure the trials of this life knowing that justice will be served. Cp. Rev. 6:9-11

9. Follow God’s Standard of Fairness Help/forgive/love those whom the world think does not/would not. Help/forgive/love those whom the world think does not/would not. Remember to be holy like God… not to live like this world. Matt. 5:48 Remember to be holy like God… not to live like this world. Matt. 5:48