“Just Ain’t Fair”

By Yeshin Clemente
(and nephew)

Two Different and Distinct Perspectives

Our response to unfairness, as with all other issues, is based on our perspective – the particular vantage point from which we look at life. Basically, in this case, we have two perspectives to choose from.

The Human Perspective

Our natural, human perspective contends, “Since life isn’t fair, I’m going to get my share. I’m going to look out for number one. I’m going to spend my energy getting my own back or setting things straight or making it right. I’m not going to take it any longer”.

The Divine Perspective

Fortunately, we do have another option, and we find it clearly spelled out for us in 1 Peter 3:12. The principle that Peter gives us is this: God misses nothing. He’s looking out for us. He is listening to our prayers. And He is completely aware of the evil that is happening to us.

But if this is true, we wonder, why doesn’t He do something about evil?

Why does He let it go on so long?

Because God’s timeline is infinite. He doesn’t close His books at the end of the month. It may take a lifetime or longer before justice is served.

But in the end, count on it, God will be just. In the end, He will “work everything together for good” and for His glory.

Techniques to keep Hope Alive

Building on this divine perspective, Peter gives us five ways we can live in an unfair and inequitable world. But first there’s a general principle we need to underscore.

A General Principle

And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? (1 Peter 3:13). If we paraphrase this verse, we could say that those who live honest lives will not usually suffer harm. This is a general rule, that if you live a life of purity and integrity, in the long run you usually won’t suffer as much as those who habitually traffic in evil.

Occasional Inequities

However, to return to reality, because life is difficult, there are times when life “just ain’t fair”. So there will be times when, despite that general principle, despite your righteous life, despite your faithful walk with God, situations turn on you. And it’s these exceptions to the rule that Peter is addressing in chapter 3, verses 11 through 17. He begins with a general summation of the condition.

I like to paraphrase verse 14 “It is unlikely that you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, but if you should. . .”

Question: How are we to respond when the exception to the rule occurs?

First, consider yourself uniquely blessed by God.

As far as the injustice itself is concerned, Peter’s surprising advice is “be happy and consider yourself blessed!” Such Treatment reminds us that God’s hand is still in our lives.

Second, someday we will be rewarded for our endurance of these undeserved trials (see Matthew 5:10–12; James 1:12).

Question: But how many people are equipped to handle mistreatment after they’ve done right?

First, only Christians are equipped to do that.

That is what makes believers stand out. That is our uniqueness. And, yes, there are occasions in life when we will be called for that very purpose. In the mystery of God’s sovereign plan, we will be singled out.

Second, don’t panic and don’t worry.

And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled. (1 Peter 3:14b). First, look at the word fear. It comes from the original term “phobos” from which we also get our word phobia. This kind of fear is the fear that seizes us with terror and causes us to take flight, running away from the pressure.

Peter says, don’t do that, there is no reason to run. Don’t attempt to escape the trial and don’t panic. In the second phrase he tells us that we don’t need to be troubled.

The word troubled in Greek means “to be agitated, uneasy”, the idea of feeling inner turmoil or agitation. Remember John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”.

The energy and effort we expend worrying never solves a thing. In fact, it usually makes the situation worse for us, creating a terrible inner turmoil which, if allowed to intensify, can paralyze us. Peter’s counsel to us is that, even when trials are pressing in, and people are trying to intimidate us, we can have calmness of spirit.

Why? Because we know that God is on our side.

Third, acknowledge Christ as Lord even over this event.

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts always being ready to make defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

When we think a wrong has been done to us that we don’t deserve, we can respond, “Lord, You’re with me right now. You are here, and You have reasons for what is happening. You will not take advantage of me. You’re much too kind to be cruel. You’re much too good to be unjust. You care for me too much to let this get out of hand. Take charge Lord. Use my integrity to defend me. Give me the grace to stay calm. Control my emotions. Be Lord over my present situation.”

In such a prayer, we “set apart Christ as Lord” in our hearts.

Fourth, be ready to give a witness.

Read again the second part of the scriptural passage (1 Peter 3:15b). Stop and consider. Mistreatment is a perfect platform for a witness.

Why? Because, People will want to know how you stay calm in the midst of it. How you go through it without strongly reacting. They will ask you “how do you pull it off?”

Be ready to make a defense, to give an answer, to witness to anyone who asks. Seldom will there be a more opportune time to share your faith than when you are suffering and glorifying Him through it.

Fifth, keep a good conscience.

And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16). Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity. Nothing stands the test like solid character. Character will always win the day.

Quotation: Fame is vapor , popularity an accident , riches take wing, and only character endures. (Horace Greeley).

There is no more eloquent and effective defense than a life lived continually and consistently in integrity. It possesses invincible power to silence your detractors. For it is better, if God should will it so , that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing what is wrong. (1 Peter 3:17)

Simply stated , the principle is this: Unjust suffering is always better than deserved punishment. And sometimes – though we cannot fully explain why–it is God’s will that His people should suffer for doing what is right.

Remember what the Scripture says in Isaiah 55:8–9.

Listen to the counsel of Peter. Calmly and quietly let these five bits of counsel sink in. Consider yourself uniquely blessed by God. Do not run in panic or sit and worry. Acknowledge Christ as LORD even over this event. Be ready to give a witness. Keep a good conscience.