The wonder of Grace, I am told, is that it is unmerited. Several people, including Philip Yancey in his well-known book What's So Amazing About Grace described it as "unfair," because it is given to us despite the fact the we don't deserve it: particularly as some are selected over others (the others seem to be rather glossed over).
Now, if I saved one person out of many from a natural disaster, I would not be "unfair" because I chose one and not another. However, suppose I have an unlimited budget, time and resources, but still chose to only save a few of the survivors, and left the rest to starve. Would that still not be "unfair"? The problem with such human analogies if that we have limited power, limited time, limited ability. I would not be unfair only because I can't do it for everyone - choosing is morally neutral only because of this.
So: grace is called unfair, but for a being with unlimited power to be unfair is ipso facto unethical. Romans 8 only states that God is powerful and we're not, skirting the ethical issue entirely. Does "unfair" grace make God morally deficient?
2007-08-09 14:39:00 · 9 answers · asked by thundercatt9 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Let us examine this from a different perspective.
If the United States were to state that anyone willing to abide by its Laws could become citizens, is that unfair?
Is it unfair that some men recieve pardons or stays of execution on death row in prison?
Christ has stated that both belief and obedience is necessary for salvation (reception of the merciful unearned gift, or grace).
Now, the punishment for sin is death, correct?
Therefore all mankind is on "death row", so to speak, because of the acts they have committed, since all mankind has sinned at least once. From the "littlest lie", to the brutalest act ever committed, all fall under one term, sin, since they all stem from corruption in the spirit.
What would be truly "unfair", is if God was unmercifull, for all mankind would shurely perish. Even though, it would still technically be "fair", since he has warned mankind from the beginning not to do these things, and that his vengeance would be against those who do.
Knowing this, is grace then unfair? Or is it rather a demonstration of love toward those whom have not earned it.
As a parent, I can say that it is easy to forgive the child which tries to be obedient, and hard to forgive the child which is outrightly and defiantly disobedient. I manage, however to do both, since I love all of my children.
Yet if I watched my child (obedient or disobedient) be brutally torturered by those who hate me, I truly do not know whether I could restrain my wrath, let alone forgive them, though I would try. Yet, God is greater than I, and has done just that, when his obedient son was torturered and then murdered, right in front of him.
God allowed it, and his obedient son willingly undertook this act, so that even a remnant could be found worthy of life, instead of the death they had personally and individually chosen by their own words and actions.
Yes, together they acted to give pardons fairly to those on death row that were willing to change their ways, from the way of death, to the way of life.
Murderers still willing to murder will receive their punishment, but murderers that refuse to do or think murder are pardoned. The first still desires spiritual corruption and its consequences. The second seeing the evil within tries to weed out the same corruption, with the help of God, therefore finding grace in God's sight. For obedience demonstrates love.
Yes, I find that God is eminently fair.
Paul
2007-08-09 15:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by pauldude000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible does not say that some are selected over others.
John 3:16 says "Whosoever believeth...shall not perish"
John 2:2 says "He is the propitiation for our sins: and...for the sins of the whole world."
If salvation by grace through faith was only offered to a chosen few then God would indeed be morally deficient. That however is not the case and the bible states this unequvically.
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live..."
2007-08-09 14:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If grace is unethical, I'll take unethical! Life on this planet has a purpose. God has a specific purpose. If there are people who have no desire to participate in that purpose, how is that His fault? Just because God warns us of Hell doesn't mean He's the one sending you there. Wake up and realize that this is not a Sophist game. You are playing with your eternal status.
2007-08-09 14:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grace isn't chosing one person over another, it's going beyond We reap what we sow, our karma. Each of us receives grace. It's how love interacts with the law.
Do you get more grace if you give grace? Maybe. But you surely feel more love.
Portia in the Merchant of Venice said:
The quality of mercy is not strained, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: It is twice blessed: It blesses him that gives and him that takes... Mercy... is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God Himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice."
2007-08-09 14:43:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've made the ones you're saving in your scenario, "victims" and we are not victims of sin. It is our nature, and this means we are already dead in our sins. Therefore it is completely God's prerogative as to whom He will save. Unfair? Yes, it's unfair that I should perish but have the blood of the Lamb covering me anyway.
2007-08-09 15:06:12 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah sure, go ahead and make your judgment on your creator, let me get out of the way first though.
Romans 9:21
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
2007-08-09 14:43:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we can't be attentive to till this nighttime yet, for my section no. in case you have the fan base you followers are going to vote for you at which ever variety you're at and as quickly as you do you in simple terms could hit the bear in mind button to dial back. AI did the suitable they could and the variety they decide on 36 labored because of the fact's used alot in this teach.
2016-12-30 07:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by marica 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to talk about Will & Grace like that, I'm going to have to leave....... ;)
2007-08-09 14:44:29 · answer #8 · answered by Jack B, sinistral 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing is unfair about a gift of God.....how its applied is for Him to say,not us....and certainly not for us to judge
2007-08-09 14:42:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋