January 29, 2015-Just or fair?

Romans 9:6-18

6It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.”

14What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 17For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

What then are we to say?  This passage is one that I wrestle with.  There is the reminder that God chooses who God chooses.  Is that unjust?  Is God unjust?  

God chooses who God chooses.  I believe that since God is the creator of all, God chooses life, creation, wholeness.  To me that means all.  Now how that plays out or how it looks, I don’t know.  What I do know is that it isn’t up to me to pick and choose who should come.  Is it fair?  I don’t think so, but if God were fair, where would any of us be, honestly?

Instead, we have the promise that nothing, absolutely nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God; the love that God offers us freely.  

As you spend time with God today, offer up confession, those things you have done, and include those that you do not know.  Also confess those things you did not do that in hind sight was a mistake.  Then think on the question… if God was fair……?

Dear God, we give you thanks that you are a just God.  We as humans sometimes take justice into our own hands, thinking we know what you would do.  We condemn others for their behaviors, for their failings, for what we see is wrong.  Justice belongs to you, O God.  As the world suffers and shares the consequences of our sin, we trust that you are in this mess with us, seeking justice. Use us as your instruments of peace and justice, without us condemning each other.  Amen.