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Life Isn't Fair... Yet!

It is hard to remember on a daily basis that this life isn't fair.

Job's friends did not understand the basic principle. They thought that there was always a linear relationship between the good one does and the blessings we have in this life. It is true that we reap what we sow, but to a large extent that will only be fulfilled on the Judgment Day. Only then will Jesus's words be fulfilled that, "many who are first will be last, and the last first." Those who did well in God's eyes but were marginalized and suffered in this life- last- will be greatly rewarded- first- in the age to come. Until then, it will be a mixed bag, such that many of the wicked will prosper and the righteous languish and perish.

The righteous too- those who truly believe in and love Christ- should not compare the outcomes of their lives in this age with the outcomes that other Christians are receiving. A rich Christian must not conclude based on his riches that he has been more faithful than a poor Christian. A poor Christian must not conclude based on his poverity that he has been less faithful than the rich Christian- or more faithful, for that matter. Rewards on the Last Day will be based on those things which were done in the power and love of the Spirit, and only those things. Such thoughts and acts are "faithful." A life of them is "faithfulness." All the rest of our works will be burned up.

This life is to be lived for eternity, and not for this life. Yes, if we pray with God-centered motives we may ask Him for a rewarding and smooth way this side of Judgment Day. Yet we should know that God's rewards are only proportional to our work for Him once eternity is put on the scales. In this life, no Christian ever sees but the smallest fraction of the glory "which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Scripture says that those who "are comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." (2 Cor. 10:12) We Christians are often unwise! May we pray for Christ's return. May we pray for God's Kingdom to come, His will to be done. May we live, "by faith and not by sight." May we live for God and not for a fair return in this life!

Remember. Life isn't fair... yet!