All Fair by Grace

We can be our harshest critic at times.  Though it is unwise to compare ourselves with others, we can do this without even thinking.  I have heard people talk about the impossible standards set by the airbrushed pictures in glossy magazines and filters on social media that present a fanciful portrayal of beauty that leads to people feeling self-conscious and even hating their appearance.  The thirst for attention and praise is strong and feelings of inadequacy even stronger.  Every year people die from complications of cosmetic surgery, chasing the dream of improved appearance.

How would you react if the words spoken by the Shulamite's beloved from Song of Songs 4:7 were spoken directed at you:  “You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.”  One could say the Shulamite suffered from a negative body image, for she was self-conscious about her dark tan from working as a shepherdess.  In the song she was introduced to her beloved, a prince who was absolutely and surprisingly smitten by her.  She was the only woman he wanted, and after they wed the Shulamite was in a class all by herself:  all fair, his love and without spot.  He said this to her and I wonder if she received this as the truth--or mere words to discount or shrug off.  Did she justify her feelings?  "I know he thinks I'm all fair, but I still feel ugly as ever."

What is lovely about the Song of Songs are the layers of meaning when considering the relationship God has with the children of Israel.  Jacob was a shepherd and was not afraid to say so even though shepherds were abominable to the Egyptians.  God compared Israel to His bride, His special people through an everlasting covenant of Law.  Though Israel was unfaithful to God, God remained faithful to love and cherish them as perfect in Numbers 23:21:  "He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them."  Another layer of significance is how under the new covenant of the Gospel the church is viewed as a bride, as the Body of Christ with whom God has joined Himself as one.  Because the church is comprised of individual members, the words of the beloved take on a personal meaning due to Christ's atonement and adoption as children of God:  "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you."

This is not flattery, Christian, but the reality of how God sees us according to the riches of His grace.  We have been cleansed of our sin and born again into the family of God, members of His own body.  Since this is His assessment of us, this is also His view of all those who are born again by faith in Jesus.  Instead of comparing ourselves with one another and feeling proud or inadequate, rather than comparing your local church fellowship with others or the airbrushed, filtered concepts of the perfect church, let us rejoice in the love of Christ demonstrated for us and be content in His embrace.  There is no spot in our Saviour, our love, and He is all fair.  His fairness is not shown in His complexion or the colour of His skin but through His grace and goodness.