March - Lake Union Conference

TheofADVENTISMWhy God LovesBeing Unfairb y C y n t h i a a n d J . W. W a r r e nCurrently, some intellectuals are claiming that Jehovah God is unworthy of worship and obedience. The principlethesis of C. Hitchens’ God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything and similar books is that man’s globalinhumanity to man confirms that God is unloving and unfair. Sadly, some Christians are doubting their faithand slipping into a post-modern rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The Seventh-day Adventist Church remains faithfulto its mission to carry the Good News of unmerited graceto the entire world. Through many practical ways, we giverational proofs why God loves being unfair. For example,Adventists draw great joy from the text, “Jesus had equalstatus with God but didn’t think it unfair to surrender theadvantages of that status. When the time came, He set asidethe privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave ...became human and died a selfless, obedient death” (Philippians2:6–8 MB, adapted).One conclusive evidence of God’s unfairness is His universalamnesty plan. Though “the wages of sin is death,”and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,”God persists in offering “His free gift, which is eternal lifethrough Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 3:23; 6:23 NLT).The abundant life that millions of practicing Adventistsenjoy seems unfair in contrast to the lifestyle dysfunctionsthat afflict billions who denounce God as unfair. The individualAdventist who practices a balanced Bible-basedlifestyle, and practices common-sense health laws taught byEllen White, is living proof that God’s generous unfairnessis His foundational blessing.However, it would be irresponsible to suggest that anindividual Adventist will never suffer sickness and disease.The “glorified body,” free of illness, is the exclusive privilegeof those who choose the First Resurrection (1 Corinthians15:51–57). God’s liberally unfair grace is confirmed by thefact that Adventists, as a group, develop major lifestyle diseaseslater than the general population. National Geographicand other reputable secular organizations have repeatedlydocumented the “Adventist Advantage” which results inoverall better health.Adventists hold no copyright on God’s passion to belovingly unfair to others. His name is gloried when Adventistsinvite others to share in Heaven’s showers of blessings.According to Ellen White, “Grace is unmerited and thebeliever is justified without any merit of his own, withoutany claim to offer to God. He is justified through the redemptionthat is in Christ Jesus, who stands in the courts ofheaven as the sinner’s substitute and surety. ... Christ [notthe Seventh-day Adventist Church] is the great depositaryof justifying righteousness and sanctifying grace” (AmazingGrace, p. 182).Adventists know, without any reservation, that JehovahGod is great and worthy of praise. We joyfully worship theCreator-God who provides new blessings everyday and theassurance of eternal life. As members of the universal Bodyof Christ, we proclaim that “surely the Lord blesses therighteous and surrounds them with His goodwill, pleasuresand favor” (Psalm 5:12 AMB, adapted).Cynthia and J.W. Warren co-founded Spring Hope Ministries to celebrate andpromote the joys and benefits of the Adventist lifestyle. They have three adultchildren and reside in Berrien Springs, Michigan.Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d • Ma r c h 2 0 0 8 | 11