GOD DOES NOT PLAY FAVORITES
Read Romans 2:11.
What does God not do? Have you ever played favorites? Have you ever been on the wrong side of someone else playing favorites (meaning you were not someone’s favorite)? Did it hurt you or discourage you to not be another’s favorite? God does not play favorites. He loves everyone just the same. If you know someone that has a stronger faith than you do, it’s not because he or she is God’s favorite. God does not love that person more. It’s because that person has made God their favorite. God loves you the same and He deserves to be your favorite. He will not play favorites with anyone, but you should play favorites with Him.
GIVE IT A TRY!
Read Matthew 6:33
What should you seek first? What will happen if you do? This is why the “I’m Third” life works. God first, others second and yourself third. If you put God first, the other two will fall into place.
GOD DISCIPLINES HIS KIDS
Read Hebrews 12:7
What does God do when you do wrong? Should a father discipline his child? God is fair, He doesn’t play favorites and when you sin He will punish you. Just because you are His child doesn’t mean you can avoid getting punished for doing wrong. He does this because He loves you! Your dad disciplines you because it is what you deserve AND more importantly, it teaches you to do what is right. God disciplines you because He is fair, and in His fairness, He is giving you the opportunity to learn to do what is right. What are some lessons you have learned from being disciplined? Are you thankful that God wants you to do what is good and right?
GOD IS A FAIR JUDGE
Read Psalm 11:7
How is the Lord described? What does God love? In America, we have what is called the justice system. It’s filled with lawyers and judges whose job is to make sure decisions are made that are just. Just decisions are decisions that go along with what is true and what the law says. If someone breaks the law, a judge decides, based on truth, if the person is guilty or innocent. God knows the law because He wrote it. He knows what is true because He is the definition of truth. He is able to be a fair judge because He knows the truth. You can trust any decision that God makes is fair because He loves to be fair.
LET GOD TAKE REVENGE
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6
What will God do to those who trouble you? You must know that God will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. This is a promise. This is important for you to trust God and only God to pay back those who wrong you. He will do it in His own timing and you might not get to be around to see it when He does. It’s in your human nature to get revenge, but God doesn’t want you to because you are not fair. Remember, He can use the punishment to change someone’s heart to love Him. If a follower of Jesus wrongs you, God can discipline them to be more faithful to Him and others! God is control, that is a promise and God will not ignore wrong doing. Trust Him to deal with it in His way and in His timing! What are some ways you can react to someone who wrongs you instead of revenge?
WE ARE ONE IN JESUS
Read Galatians 2:28
If you believe in and follow Jesus, how are you seen in the eyes of God? If you are “one” in Christ Jesus, how should you treat others? Just as God is a fair God, we are called to be like Him in every way, including that! Do you think of yourself better than others based on your family, friends, or abilities? Those who belong to Jesus are all one in His sight! How can you do a better job of seeing and treating others with the fairness of God?