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Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”  Psalm 96:10

We hear a lot about “equity” these days. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot in culture, business, even church. But I’m not sure that everyone who jumps on the equity bandwagon truly understands the concept—it certainly is not a synonym for “equality” upon which freedom is based. And the terms are quite conflated in use. Simply put, “equality” means equal opportunity and “equity” connotes equal outcomes.

Humanly speaking, equity is not possible when freedom and choice exist. If you give 10 children $10 each, every one of those kids will likely choose to do something different with the money. Some will save (with dissimilar goals in mind); one may buy some candy; one may spend some and save some; one may buy a single toy; another may go to the dollar store to get as many random items as possible with the full sum, just to spend it all. All 10 kids had equal opportunity, but the likelihood of equal outcome is improbable. Now, if you give that same $10 to those same 10 kids and dictate to them exactly what to do (e.g., save $5 and buy a specific $5 item), this is equity: equal outcomes by force or demand.^*

But with God, dear friend, there is equity in its truest, unadulterated form. He gives us the freedom to choose in this life—equal opportunity—but there will be equal outcomes. At the end of our lives, He will judge us with equity (Psalm 96:10; 98:7-9).

Each and every one of us starts at the same place: We are born into this world separated from God, sinners who fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Because God is perfectly holy and righteous, He requires perfect holiness and righteousness of us (Leviticus 19:2; I Peter 1:16). And no matter how hard we try to check off religious boxes or ensure our “do good” list is longer than our “do bad” list, we cannot achieve sufficient righteousness (i.e., perfection) on our own. If we breathe our last in this state, having chosen to make every effort to redeem and save ourselves, there will be equity—equality of outcome. One little lie or a lifetime of murdering. Doesn’t matter. One outcome awaits: eternal pain, sorrow, and isolation (hell).

But there is another equitable outcome provided by our righteous and holy God: heaven—an eternity in His presence. See, regardless of the life you’ve lived up to this point (liar or murderer), the penalty for your sin has been paid, a way of reconciliation with God made. Jesus lived the perfect life we cannot, died to take on the wrath we deserve, and then rose again to conquer sin and death. By accepting this gift of grace through faith, Jesus exchanges our unrighteousness for His righteousness—we are redeemed, deemed perfect in the eyes of God through Jesus. Regardless of what we’ve done in the past, we can be forgiven and free to turn our lives around, loving God and others in response to His love for us. And it is this choice, friend, that brings eternal peace and joy.

Regardless of where you started in life or where you’ve been, there is spiritual equity. But unlike the concept of human equity, there is no demand, no forcing of outcomes. You have total freedom to choose your eternity: heaven or hell. And if you haven’t made your choice yet, won’t you accept the gift of salvation in Jesus today and solidify your eternal outcome?

God, You are holy, righteous, sovereign—I am not. Thank You for making a way for me, for saving me and reconciling me to Yourself through Jesus.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

^*Don’t misunderstand, I realize there are nuances in this discussion, but for the purposes of this spiritual illustration, the above basics will suffice.