“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Have you ever suffered the consequences of someone else’s choice?
The students were getting ready for recess when the teacher noticed someone had taken some money off her desk. She got the class’s attention and said,
“Alright, who stole the money off my desk?”
No one answered. She asked again. Still, nothing. Then she said,
“I’m going to give you one more chance. If you don’t come forward, no one goes out for recess.”
No one came forward. So, the whole class had to stay in. Then one of the kids spoke up,
“It’s not fair! I didn’t take the money. Why should I have to stay inside?”
An American Perspective
In America, individuality is baked into our society. We all are affected by it. It affects how we see the world and how we see justice and fairness. The very idea of someone being punished for something someone else did grates on us.
It’s because of this that Americans struggle with some of the passages of the Bible where God deals with groups of people.
Often, when Americans hear passages like this is makes us bristle. We immediately try to find some justification for why God would do such a thing. After all, it’s only fair to punish the specific people who did something wrong.
There Are Other Perspectives
This is not, however, how everyone thinks. This is not how everyone sees the world. In fact, many societies, see the world through the perspective of shared honor or shared shame. A parent or child can bring shame or honor to a family. A single member of a village can bring honor or shame to the whole village. We could learn something from them.
Today’s passage is one of those passages that can frustrate Americans. It’s because of Adam that all people are born into sin and are condemned by that sin. How is that fair? Shouldn’t we all have the same choice as Adam? However, that’s not how it works.
Of course, the other part of the passage is just as unfair, right? We all can receive forgiveness and eternal life because of the one man, Jesus. Just as we all participate in the failure of Adam, we all, by faith, get to participate in Christ’s victory.
God’s Not Fair
The truth is it isn’t fair. We shouldn’t be able to participate in eternal life by our own merits, but God isn’t fair. He is merciful, gracious, just, and loving. Jesus, unfairly, took our punishment and then, unfairly, gave us His reward. Thank goodness, God isn’t fair.
Heavenly Father,
You do not treat us as we deserve. You treat us as Jesus deserved. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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