That’s not fair! This phrase punctuates modern life. A perceived lack of fairness fuels arguments that lead to broken relationships, job disputes and political debate. This is because fairness has become the standard of conduct and not righteousness.
Fairness means that what is right must be relative and not absolute. Situations and circumstances determine what is fair. Therefore, fairness and an absolute standard of righteousness are not compatible. Fairness means standards must change to fit life situations, therefore what is right must change as well.
But consider this: If fairness was the guiding principle for life and conduct, then Christ would never have gone to the cross. Jesus did not die to make things fair, he died to make his people righteous! Because of what Christ accomplished on Good Friday, fairness has been obliterated as the standard for human thought, word, and deed. Righteousness has become the standard, the righteousness of Christ.
Thus, when you seek to settle a dispute with your children, when you look for a solution for problems in your marriage, don’t look for the fair answer, look for the right one. Rejoice that Christ has ended fairness and established mercy based on his righteousness as our hope before God.
Good Friday: the day fairness was ended and hope was made alive. Praise God for his unfailing, righteous love.