March 3, 2017

  • Looking for Fairness

    If you’ve ever wanted fairness
    And had your wish granted
    You would realize the folly
    Of punishment for sins recanted

    If you’ve ever wanted mercy
    And pleas fell on deaf ears
    When the prison cell is locked
    Not to open for many years

    If you’ve ever wanted justice
    And righteous judgement too
    Remember mercy’s value
    If you wore the other shoe

    Last week's sermon message was interesting. It was about fairness. We all say we want things to be fair. And at the same time we know that life is not fair. Yet the concept of fairness is plainly illustrated by the "eye for and eye and tooth for a tooth" from biblical times. That was only fair. We only want fair when we are the wronged party. When the tables are turned we crave mercy. It was explained that God is righteous which means we will certainly get what we deserve but God is also merciful which tempers the punishment. If there is righteousness without mercy there is only punishment and no redemption. If there is only mercy without righteousness there is no accountability. The two must be in balance. But it must be clear - being merciful is not fair. So what do you want, fairness or righteousness and mercy?

Comments (6)

  • Your priest might think it's not fair that you were able to preach his sermon so effectively in three stanzas and a paragraph.

    • Hehe! I'm not going to tell him!! I wouldn't want to make him feel bad... And thanks for the compliment!!

  • Mercy...no question. God can extend mercy because of Christ's death. It's sometimes hard for us to give mercy to others, but we should try. I laughed at saintvi's comment.

    • We all want mercy but I agree that it is very difficult to let go of that desire for retribution when we are the wronged party...

  • I am so blessed to have such a wise daughter who possesses such great ability to communicate her thoughts so succinctly in both prose AND poetry!

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment