The average person is guilty of committing tens of thousands of crimes against God in his lifetime. He has no justification. With the voice of his conscience, he knows it is wrong to lie, steal, commit adultery in his heart, etc. He knows intuitively that God gave him life (see Rom. 1:18–20), but instead of showing any gratitude, he uses His holy name as a cuss word to express disgust. Hell is therefore his just reward, if God is “fair.”
But God is “unfair.” He offers the sinner a complete pardon for his sins. Jesus paid his fine 2,000 years ago, and that means God (as Judge) can legally dismiss his case upon his repentance and faith in Jesus. None of his transgressions will be remembered. Because of God’s great mercy, He does not give us what is “fair” and just: “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” (Psa. 103:10).
Ezekiel 18:25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not fair. Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.29 Yet the house of Israel says, The way of the Lord is not fair. O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?
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