Major Dalton - September 29, 2024
"Forgiveness" Over "Fair"
“That's not fair!” We’ve all heard it—from kids on the playground to adults in heated discussions. A child's first word might be "Mamma" or "Dadda." Their first full sentence could be "Hold me!" or it could be "Give me!" But their first argument will almost certainly be "That's not fair." This is probably what Onesimus thought to himself when Paul told him he had to return to Ephesus to make things right. And it is almost certainly what Philemon thought when Paul encouraged him to forgive his runaway servant. We seem to be hardwired for fairness, especially in a conflict or argument. But what do we really mean when we cry out for what’s “fair”? Is it truly about justice, or something more self-centered? What is fair anyways? It’s a cry for justice, a plea for equality. It’s a demand for a correction to ensure we get what we think we deserve. But this Sunday, we’ll explore the surprising truth about fairness and why it might not be what we think we want after all.