Psalm 58:11 says, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.” Yet many question this verse, saying, “If God is fair, then why is there so much wickedness on earth?” The truth is this: God is not fair, but He is just. For if God were fair, we would all be dead, since we have all sinned against the holiness of God. If God were unjust, we might as well be dead, since the most powerful being is lawless.
However, God is both unfair and just.
He is unfair as He “made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) In fact, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross was the most unfair event ever to occur in this universe.
At the same time, God is just! The cross fulfilled all righteousness and yet redeemed us from our sins for all eternity! This was the only way God could “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)
So, in this most unfair, but loving and just exchange, God gave us Jesus! Sir Isaac Watts in 1707 caught this truth and wrote the renowned hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.
When I survey the wondrous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest Gain I count but Loss,
And pour Contempt on all my Pride.
- Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong