We see in the Bible that God loved Jacob and hated Esau, not because of anything that they did, but because of “God’s purpose according to His choice. Is this fair for God to do? Yes, it is. Let’s look at the verse and then analyze what is happening.
“for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,” (Rom. 9:11-13).
First of all, whatever God does is fair. God can do no wrong because he is the standard of right and wrong. So, if He loves one and hates another, it is fair. If someone were to object to this, then that person would have to produce a standard to which God himself must acquiesce. But where would anyone get a standard of morality that would apply to everyone everywhere all the time? Second, God owes us nothing. He is not obligated to love anyone. He loves out of the freedom of His will, not because of anything in us. He loves because of what is in Him. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8). Third, all people have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). This means that because we are all fallen and because we are all sinners, the “fair” thing to do is to let us all go to hell. Fairness deals with what is right according to the Law of God. Since it is only God who is holy and pure and right, and not us, it is perfectly fair that all of us sinners be judged and condemned by God. But, God does not choose to do that. Instead, He sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins so that we might be saved (John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:24). Jesus did what was right according to the Old Testament law. So, he did what was fair according to that law. All who trust in Christ, who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14), have the value of the infinite God’s atoning work to cover all of their sins. Therefore, anyone who trusts in the sacrifice of Jesus will have all of his sins forgiven. And, all who appear to be good on a human level yet reject the sacrifice of Christ to cover their sins, must pay the consequence of that rejection.
So, yes it is fair that God loves one and hates another. But ask yourself if it is “fair” that God would send His Son to die for us so that we might be saved. Is it? That was sacrificial love that is incredible and powerful. Where will you put your trust? Will it be in your own subjective sense of fairness which could be wrong, or in the incredible love of God for us that is found in Jesus on the cross?
