“If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.” A.W. Tozer
We are the people of paradox–the apparent contradiction that is not a contradiction at all because it’s truth.
We live by dying to self. His strength shows in our weakness. We are supposed to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and rejoice when life has us down. We are supposed to live without fear, to live with peace in our hearts.
Sometimes, we are the people of the wrong paradox. We fear when we should hope and trust. We lack peace because we fear.
He is the God of paradox. He won by losing. When everyone else thought He was gone for good, thought His teaching was done, He won the greatest victory ever.
He won over death.
Don’t fear. Hold to hope. Find peace.
Easter is coming.
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Isn’t salvation in Jesus the most wonderful paradox in creation? 😉 I love the Tozer quote, Nancy.
Thank you! He is the most wonderful of all! God bless!
Amen. Easter is coming.
Thanks for commenting, Mimi!
Hey Nancy
‘ We live by dying to self. His strength shows in our weakness. ‘
Awesome, the gospel in short right there. Love it.
Great post
Thanks for the great comment. I hadn’t realized that myself, but you’re exactly right.
I’m so glad He conquered death and has given us eternal salvation. Last week a little girl of 11 years passed away from a 3 year battle with a brain tumor. She accepted Christ as her Savior this past August. Because she believes in Jesus, she passed on from death to life. We can rejoice because our Savior did the impossible! 🙂
So thankful for childlike faith–especially in children! Thanks for commenting! God bless!
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your blog post “The God and People of Paradox”.
You wrote: »We are the people of paradox–the apparent contradiction that is not a contradiction at all because it’s truth.«
This is so true.
Your blog post reminded me of the extra dimension the Christian faith gives us in life.
I read these requirements on what we’re supposed to do as Christian as a statement of the impossibility of ‘living up the criterion’ and therefore we only have one way, and that’s to receive God’s mercy.
My favourite sentence of this particular blog post was:
“He is the God of paradox.”
It’s sure a paradox that God took the shape of humans and died for all of us.
This is bigger and stranger than any of us can understand; our only choice here is to take the leap of faith.
God bless!
Edna Davidsen.
Thanks for a great comment, Edna. You’re right–the only logical step is a leap of faith! God bless!
I want to live without fear and have joy and trust as I go throughout life! Thanks for this beautiful reminder today!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. God bless!
Reminds me that Jesus said we have to lose our life to find it. Easter reminds me that the only way to find it is resurrection!
I’ve been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in Jesus Christ, who loves me and died for me.
When Christ was on the cross, so was I… if I am “in Christ”. There is no time issue in eternity, and the life of Christ is eternal life. Because I am in Christ, I live in eternity.
Eternity past, present and future. It’s all the same. I am crucified with Christ but I am also seated at the right hand in heavenly places.
Eternal life… you got to love it. I do!
I do love it so! Thanks for commenting, Scott! God bless!