Amazing Biblical Paradoxes
This bible study will list several blessed biblical paradoxes. A paradox is a self contradictory statement that when explained may prove to be true. For example say the blessed paradox at 2 Corinthians 4:8-11. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 6:8-10 lists several paradoxes that christians experience: By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Even though we are in this world surrounded by trouble, with Jesus we can have peace that passeth all understanding. Philippians 4:7 says And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. And Jesus said at John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. In other words birds might fly around your head but don't let them nest there. Remember like Noah and Moses, get in the ark of safety covered by the blood of Jesus. You will have peace even though around you are cries at midnight that are troubled by the flood of despair while the angel of death passes over you.
Amazing Biblical Paradoxes
1) We Become Great By Serving
Our first biblical paradox is we become great by serving. Jesus said at Mark 10:43 But whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all; For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. In other words instead of telling a pastor of a church What does your church have to offer? Tell the pastor This is what I have to offer to the church and feed the orphans, help the widows, and bless the poor members financially with clothes and food.
One time a painter painted a picture above of a poor woman with her little child begging for food on the street. While the painter was working on this painting, he heard a minister preaching about visiting poor widows and orphans. Immediately, the painter got under conviction, got saved, put down his brush and said these blessed words; Instead of painting the lost; I'm gonna go out and reach the lost.
Friends everywhere, let's not just talk about how poor people are suffering with no food trying to pay their bills. Let's go out and reach these poor people offering to pay for food and their bills. Remember we become great by serving so everyone can see Jesus in our lives. Proverbs 19:17 promises He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again. James 1:27 says Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this; To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Amazing Biblical Paradoxes
2) We Become Wise Through Foolishness
Our next biblical paradox is we become wise through foolishness. This paradox is stated at 1 Corinthians 1:18 that says For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it (the preaching of the cross) is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
While the world calls christians foolish for believing the bible, christians believe the foolishness of the preached bible and become wise. The world says that christians are foolish to believe that a virgin gave birth to Jesus. But to christians, a virgin named Mary (not an unmarried maiden) giving birth to Jesus is the wisdom of God. Unsaved scientists might say it's impossible for an earthly woman to give birth to a son named Jesus without an earthly father. Tell these scientists that Adam and Eve didn't have an earthly father or mother and yet people believe they existed.
The world says it's foolish to believe that a Jew named Jesus who died 2000 years ago could allow His own blood to defeat the devil and cleanse saints from all their sins. But to christians, it is wisdom to trust daily that the blood of Jesus (the same yesterday today and forever) will defeat the devil and daily cleanse us from our sins. Revelation 12:11 promises And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony. Revelation 1:5 promises Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Friends everywhere to get victory over the devil and this troubled world, daily say Lord Jesus send your angels to bind the devil and cast the devil into the pit; Then ask the angels daily to cover you, your home, and anywhere you go in the blood of Jesus and trouble will pass over you and not harm you.
Finally, the world says it's foolish to believe that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump that christians will disappear and get caught up to be with Jesus in the clouds to live in peace forevermore. But to christians, it is the wisdom of God to believe that one day soon a rapture will occur where saints will leave this earth and go up through roofs into the sky to live forever in peace in glorious bodies with our Lord Jesus. Philippians 3:20-21 promises For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 promises Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Amazing Biblical Paradoxes
3) We Become Free By Submitting To Jesus
Our third biblical paradox is we become free by submitting to Jesus. Become like Paul and say I'll submit and become a servant of Jesus Christ to be set free. Romans 1:1 says Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle separated unto the gospel of God. When you submit to Jesus and daily say Lord Jesus not my will but thy will be done, you can rejoice saying John 8:36 If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Remember anyone reading this, we all have a choice to make; It's either serve sin and die or serve Jesus and live. Romans 6:23 says for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Galatians 6:8 says For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (destruction). but he that soweth to the Spirit (living daily for Jesus, staying in the Word, going to church, and praying) shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And Jesus said at John 10:10 the thief (the devil with his sin) cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I (Jesus) am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. Right now choose Jesus and get saved; Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.
Amazing Biblical Paradoxes
4) A Christian Goes Up By Going Down
Our fourth biblical paradox is that a christian goes up by going down. Jesus said at Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 1 Peter 5:6 says Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. And James 4:10 says Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. In other words if you want to go up with Jesus, get down and start praying on your knees.
Instead of lifting up yourself; praise and exalt Jesus everywhere. Remember Jesus is the vine and we are the branches; Without Jesus we can do nothing. This is why the bible says at Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. When the world says it's impossible, christians can rejoice and say Mark 9:23 If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
It's a paradox when we first read 1 Corinthians 2:9 that says But as it is written; Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But according to the next verse at 1 Corinthians 2:10 the Spirit can reveal what Jesus has prepared for His saints in the kingdom; But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Finally it's a paradox that the treasure of Jesus can live in a saint's sinful body according to 2 Corinthians 4:7 that says But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
I pray in Jesus name that this anointed bible study blesses multitudes all over this earth with great peace, joy, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
