Is God Unfair?

Watching a PGA golf tournament, one is struck by the players adherence to the rules. A ball rolls to the edge of the water, and the golfer ends up standing in the water to make his next hit. Another ball rolls behind a tree and the golfer sacrifices a hit to get back onto the fairway. A less powerful hitter tees off in the same place as the most powerful one.

Most people would consider it unfair if a weaker hitter was allowed to tee off from a different location, or if some one whose ball landed in a bad location was allowed to move it to a more satisfactory lie. If such practices were allowed, people would probably not go to a tournament because it would no longer be a valid test of a player’s skills. No one thinks it is a lack of compassion that allows many players to be cut before the final rounds, or that the first place winner wins a much greater prize than the second place winner. A player who violates the rules is disqualified summarily, and his disqualification is only contested if there is evidence that he is not actually guilty.

We consider it right and proper that the PGA establish such rules to govern their tournament and determine who wins the game and the money. After all they are the ones sponsoring the tournament and providing the awards. If one is not willing to play by those standards, he cannot win the game. Undoubtedly, there are some who are not willing to develop the skills to play well who think the PGA’s rules are unfair, because they will not be able to win by cheating, but most people see them as fair.

God has established a set of rules to enter heaven. He promised that everyone who met those rules would win the prize. I am amazed that so many people who think it is okay for the PGA to set a standard of play for their tournaments think it is unfair for God to set a standard for winning his prize. They think he should adjust the standards to fit their situation, as if allowing some to tee off from a different location or move their ball to a better location. They refuse to accept Jesus statement in John 3:36. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

We don’t accuse the PGA of not being compassionate when a player is disqualified for breaking the rules, yet people accuse God of not being when he says everyone has to play by that rule. The only way of being truly fair is by demanding that everyone meet the same standard. Jesus said he was the door, and in John 10:1 he says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” There is nothing wrong with refusing to reward those who cheat.