“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 is 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 has come.
Jesus will come again.
With my sheepdog mentality, I will likely always struggle with my human condition, but I continue striving to heed my Shepherd’s call. God’s blessings Ms. Nancy, and I too am glad, Easter has come.
We share your struggle, JD. Thanks for reading and commenting. God bless!
Amen. Jesus will come again. Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Thanks, Melissa. God bless!
“He is the God of paradox. He won by losing.” Love this, Nancy.
Thanks, Mitch. God bless!
Powerful post! You are right… our paradoxically perfect God turned it all upside down… and revealed the way, the truth and the life!
It’s amazing how He does that. Thanks, Jessica. God bless!
I’m so thankful for the gift of Himself that Jesus gave us, laying down His life, rising from the dead to redeem us, going ahead of us into future days, already carrying out His plan of redemption in our lives. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Amen, Melinda! He has blessed us beyond our understanding. God bless and thanks!
Agree with the other comments and can’t wait for His returning. Thanks Nancy
Thanks, Yvonne. God bless!
Nancy, I love the opening paragraph by Tozer and your words are always powerful. Your ending made me raise a hallelujah! Thankful Jesus won over death and is coming back!
Amen, Karen. Hallelujah! I’m thankful He’s coming back too. Thanks and God bless!
God’s thoughts and ways are always higher than human reasoning. I’m so thankful He continues to transform my mind so I can believe. I particularly like the Tozer quote. Thanks for these excellent Easter reflections.
Thank you, Annie. God bless!
I’ve been away so I missed this at Easter, but Easter is every day when we consider the gift of love and sacrifice Jesus shared with us. Thank you for this beautiful Easter message, Nancy.
Easter IS every day as long as we remember! Thanks for that, Katherine. God bless!