How unfair of God. - Thankfully!

[Neighbor]

Hi all, 

 How unfair of God. -Thankfully!

I got to thinking this AM , a dangerous risk, but I took it.

 The unfairness of God is such an incredible act  of generosity on His part. And yet  I have read, and also heard ,  the complaint against God that He is unfair, and that the Bible shows Him to be so.

I think to myself, and want to jump up with a shout YES, YES HE IS! God is totally unfair! It is His self  justified privilege to be so. He is God. And, it is my great  pleasure, my awesome beyond words privilege, to receive unfair compensation for my work for God (But not really work, instead faith).

As specific example; I am (like) that worker in the parable that the master of the vineyard came to and said, it is late in the day why are you not working? Go  work and I will pay you full day's wages. Wow, same as the worker up in the fields from dawn. Why that is not fair. Bet that guy will be ticked to think I get the same reward for a little work in the last hour of the day.

And in the parable it is so. The master has to set all  the workers straight- that He is  the master, and he will pay what He wants, period. That is the way of the Kingdom of Heaven. In addition to those that  have been called and have worked the vineyard, or at least stood in line to start the work, there is the non-worker. The one that never comes to work.  Seems he might have just said; I told you you are unfair, I will not work at all.  It isn't fair- And the Master has had an answer for that person too. I think, and that is where it gets dangerous this thinking business that is.  God has been unfair, every willing  worker no matter how long or short his laboring gets his reward a full share of the day's labor costs.

But the one that never ever even gets up to say,  okay I will work, but instead says see, not fair I will not even get in line!  What happens to that one? Is there a limit to the master's mercy and to His generosity? Seems to me when the sun sets on the potential work day at the vineyard that person is shut out. And more than shut out, banned and destroyed as  rabble that would not consider doing work period.

And the only work really was  to have faith. FAITH that if one would say yes to work for even  a moment, even at the end of their life itself, or even stood in line to get into the fields to work, they would be compensated, credited a full wage. It has been faith that the master rewards, not the labor itself.

How much a fool is that person that refuses the master of the vineyard, especially on the second day, if granted life unto a second day or any day thereafter? If they still have breath within them, are still alive, and when they can read of the first day's work log, and hear  testimony from all the workers that  received full day's wage, yet that person will still say nope, not me I am not going to work there, it isn't fair, is there anything dumber or blinder than that person?

As I started out, I was just thinking, beyond the text, not adding to it, but more trying to put flesh and bone to it, see the vineyard-  see the day laborers - see the one that really  willl not work, but will sit with those  seeking work all gathered together. There must have been a fourth potential vineyard worker. Seems there always is and will be. One that, no matter what, will not bow a knee to generosity, and praise the master of the vineyard.  Such a shame they  are shut out in their pride and their own rules of what's fair and what is not, though it is not their vineyard nor their place to set rules for- God.

Please, if you  know of such a person that is hung up on fairness, plead with them to try to see the beauty of such awesome unfairness of the master. That they too might enjoy a full share of the rewards of the vineyard's master.  

Edited June 4, 2017 by Neighbor

[wingnut-]

  Well said.

[notsolostsoul]

What of those that choose not to work until the last day and then jump the line to receive payment?

Yes, God being unfair to the full day workers is beneficial for late comers, but then why shouldn't all just wait til the end to jump up to work? Vineyard would be a mess.

Just attempting to go along with your thinking on this and trying to fully understand.

For a babe this parable sends a message of unfairness and for those taught "God is good all the time", this won't sit too well at all.

It is believed that God is suppose to be Just, Righteous and Fair. So the unfairness to "flesh and bone" will seem negative.

Basically, I would be asking the same as those who worked the field all day. Why? Yes it is his choice how he pays, but it seems that I am being forced to shut up and work or die/suffer. So much for true free will.

I get that his unfairness helps late comers, but this same unfairness is more of a lead to animosity for the ones that have worked all day.

For them, this unfairness is not something to be thankful for. (Flesh and bone)

This is all being said and asked for the sake of the discussion not to imply God is not good nor question what he can or can not do.

Just discussion!!!!!

[Willa]

If God were fair He would give me death which is due for my sin.  I am so glad He is not fair, but is full of grace and gives me what I do not deserve--eternal life in the blessed presence of Jesus Christ.  Jesus took the justice upon Himself by dying for my sin.

[notsolostsoul]

56 minutes ago, Yowm said:

It's not unfair. God's opportunity for  service was a free gift, it is only unfair who sees service as a matter of wages.

This rather should be our response..

Luke 17:7-10 NASB
[7] "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? [8] But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? [9] He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? [10] So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

 

 

Once again for sake of discussion. 

So we are unworthy slaves that should do all that is commanded, but yet we are so blessed that God sacrificed his Son for us????

We are nothing but we are so precious?

For a babe in faith this is very confusing.

My point in my responses is not to test anyone's faith, trust or belief in their relationship with God, but it is to show how some scripture said as is without a breakdown can lead a newbie or babe in Christ, to conclude the wrong message. Yes, we can easily speak on the joy of our relationship with God, but we forget we too were at a babe state and where scripture didn't make total sense.

So yes, we can be thankful for his unfairness but we should also be able to explain a rebuttal where a babe may not misinterpret.

[OneLight]

I look at it this way:

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

If it happens that I receive nothing for doing His will in this life, I know that I will in the next life.  Is this fair enough?

[Neighbor]

14 hours ago, notsolostsoul said:

What of those that choose not to work until the last day and then jump the line to receive payment?

Yes, God being unfair to the full day workers is beneficial for late comers, but then why shouldn't all just wait til the end to jump up to work? Vineyard would be a mess.

Just attempting to go along with your thinking on this and trying to fully understand.

For a babe this parable sends a message of unfairness and for those taught "God is good all the time", this won't sit too well at all.

It is believed that God is suppose to be Just, Righteous and Fair. So the unfairness to "flesh and bone" will seem negative.

Basically, I would be asking the same as those who worked the field all day. Why? Yes it is his choice how he pays, but it seems that I am being forced to shut up and work or die/suffer. So much for true free will.

I get that his unfairness helps late comers, but this same unfairness is more of a lead to animosity for the ones that have worked all day.

For them, this unfairness is not something to be thankful for. (Flesh and bone)

This is all being said and asked for the sake of the discussion not to imply God is not good nor question what he can or can not do.

Just discussion!!!!!

Yes so much for true freewill.  -Another endless subject of debate for many.

It was never a concern for me, as I did not want God at all. There was no God nor any other gods for me. I was the atheist. My will was that  I remain my self contained self moral  person.  Didn't matter, God did not allow that. I had no manner of skill to debate successfully  against God. I became faced at God's choosing of the time and the place, with the specific call by God the Holy spirit to be turned about, to be repentant, or to die unsaved. There would be no further debate, no further chance.   Okay, easy "choice"; "If that is true I want it",  was all I said. I didn't really even fully know what was  meant by I could have eternal life, or eternal destruction. I simply knew I was faced with God and had no other time left, this was it end of discussion, end of debate.

 

I have never felt cheated, never felt wow I wish I could have remained totally ignorant of my plight and of salvation. If there is any regret it might be the complete opposite. Why did I not see sooner? Or more accurately, why was I not called to my salvation sooner? But it is not for me to question the good purposes of God. He uses me as He wills and not by permission of my will. I am not God's enabler, He is mine. Not my will  that prevails, but His. That's way better than fair. Do NOT give me fair, please! Father  instead please extend to me mercy and your grace my Lord and savior Jesus. That is what  became my heart and my soul's plea and praise.

 

BTW -I don't wish my own conversion experience on anyone. May no one else be quite so,  well stupid, as I was about it. May many receive  hear and heed the call  by the Holy Spirit early in life, and have the years of great  honor to serve their creator while still  in the flesh knowing that they will serve long after it, on to eternally serving His will .

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by Neighbor

[notsolostsoul]

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

Yes so much for true freewill.  -Another endless subject of debate for many.

It was never a concern for me, as I did not want God at all. There was no God nor any other gods for me. I was the atheist. My will was that  I remain my self contained self moral  person.  Didn't matter, God did not allow that. I had no manner of skill to debate successfully  against God. I became faced at God's choosing of the time and the place, with the specific call by God the Holy spirit to be turned about, to be repentant, or to die unsaved. There would be no further debate, no further chance.   Okay, easy "choice"; "If that is true I want it",  was all I said. I didn't really even fully know what was  meant by I could have eternal life, or eternal destruction. I simply knew I was faced with God and had no other time left, this was it end of discussion, end of debate.

 

I have never felt cheated, never felt wow I wish I could have remained totally ignorant of my plight and of salvation. If there is any regret it might be the complete opposite. Why did I not see sooner? Or more accurately, why was I not called to my salvation sooner? But it is not for me to question the good purposes of God. He uses me as He wills and not by permission of my will. I am not God's enabler, He is mine. Not my will  that prevails, but His. That's way better than fair. Do NOT give me fair, please! Father  instead please extend to me mercy and your grace my Lord and savior Jesus. That is what  became my heart and my soul's plea and praise.

 

BTW -I don't wish my own conversion experience on anyone. May no one else be quite so,  well stupid, as I was about it. May many receive  hear and heed the call  by the Holy Spirit early in life, and have the years of great  honor to serve their creator while still  in the flesh knowing that they will serve long after it, on to eternally serving His will .

 

Thank you. I'm sure their are many who have felt the same and to know they are not alone is a relief in itself.

I myself have ran from God. In anger stating I don't care for salvation. Honestly I still battle. He let's me and then brings me back. 

So yes the unfairness of being saved is something to be thankful for.

You have explained it perfectly, so hopefully many can understand your OP and maybe some scripture. 

Much appreciated!

[Neighbor]

You are welcome.

 My "confessions" of faith are just that my confessions. For me I have found my faith to be too often wanting, and often misdirected or short, a weak faith that is not to be trusted without the faith that I call the faith of Jesus.  I hold on to the faith of Jesus. In His faith I am secure. He is the perfecter of my faith. It is by His faith that I hold on, the Holy Spirit keeping me in reminder that it is by Jesus alone that I am saved on to eternal life with God. It is His shed blood that washes me white as snow, making me acceptable in the eye of God the Father. As God cannot abide imperfection, cannot tolerate nor will look upon sin, it is my Lord and savior Jesus that reconciles our separation.

As my pastor just put it this week as he  was reviewing with us the church that Jesus built. The saints are all  Jesus' love gift to the Father. At such a price were each of us bought by Him, that it is incomprehensible without the Holy Spirit making it possible to discern, to understand, and to humbly bow a knee in submission praise and appreciation.

 

..."looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

From the book "Hebrews"

 

 

Edited June 5, 2017 by Neighbor

[Sower]

I had a dreadful thought years back that has motivated me to reconsider my lifestyle, motivations, and actions. It was the idea that some day or time, when we are all together in the presence of our supreme creator God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and my life and my actions and all my motivations for all my actions are exposed like some high speed video, every thought and action, the dreadful thought was I'll be thinking "if I'd have only known",  if I'd have only used the discernment, the understanding that was given me, why was I so lazy, unconcerned, so neglectful.  Why didn't I realize fully what was at stake? I was a fortunate one, I was saved well before my life ended, I was given the opportunity to lay many crowns and bring many sheaves to lay down, opportunities missed and neglected.  I was given a great "beyond fairness" to labor for the kingdom.  And I so want to hear that "Well done"..................