{"id":32199,"date":"2022-09-10T16:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/14-biblical-paradoxes-every-christian-should-know\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:00:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:00:19","slug":"14-biblical-paradoxes-every-christian-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/14-biblical-paradoxes-every-christian-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Biblical Paradoxes Every Christian Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Burak K photo – Pexels<\/div>\n

By Aaron Wilson<\/em><\/p>\n

Paradox: <\/em>A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which, when investigated, may prove to be well founded or true. \u2013The Oxford Dictionary<\/em><\/p>\n

As a Christian who trusts in the infallibility of Scripture, I believe the Bible is 100 percent trustworthy and without error.<\/p>\n

However, God\u2019s Word contains many paradoxes\u2014statements that appear contradictory on the surface when paired next to one another.<\/p>\n

Understood in context, such statements complement one another to reveal a more full picture of truth. But when pulled out of context\u2014say, as a proof text for an opinion shared on social media\u2014these snippets of Scripture can be misunderstood, twisted, and stripped of their true meaning.<\/p>\n

To guard against this, here are 14 paradoxical Scripture pairings every Christian should be aware of. Underneath each pair, we\u2019ve included application questions that can be fleshed out in a sermon or in personal or small group study. <\/em><\/p>\n

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Paradox #1: Worthless workmanship<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • \u201cWe are worthless servants.\u201d (Luke 17:10)<\/li>\n
  • \u201cWe are his workmanship.<\/em>\u201d (Ephesians 2:10)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Application questions: How does an understanding of the gospel reveal both statements are true\u2014that people are both worthless and a workmanship? How should Christians think about themselves in relation to God? What is a Christian\u2019s worth tied to?<\/p>\n

    Paradox #2: Longingly satisfied<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • \u201cBlessed are those who hunger.\u201d (Matthew 5:6)<\/li>\n
    • \u201cNo one who comes to me will ever be hungry.\u201d (John 6:35)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Application questions: As believers await Christ\u2019s return, how are they to process their current state? In what ways are Christians to hunger and thirst in the present? In what ways are they to be satisfied and rest in God\u2019s provision?<\/p>\n

      Paradox #3: To yoke or not to yoke?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      • \u201cTake up my yoke and learn from me.\u201d (Matthew 11:29)<\/li>\n
      • \u201cDon\u2019t submit again to a yoke.\u201d (Galatians 5:1)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Application questions: How does Christ\u2019s yoke differ from the yoke of the law? How do Christians practically live under the tension of being free from certain aspects of the ceremonial law while imitating Christ who perfectly obeyed the law?<\/p>\n

        Paradox #4: The role of works<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        • \u201cA person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.\u201d (Romans 3:28)<\/li>\n
        • \u201cA person is justified by works and not by faith alone.\u201d (James 2:24)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Application questions: What false gospels are each of the above verses warning against? What\u2019s the relationship between faith and works in the life of someone who has been justified?<\/p>\n

          Paradox #5: The Christian life\u2014easy or hard?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          • \u201cMy yoke is easy.\u201d (Matthew 11:30)<\/li>\n
          • \u201cHow difficult the road that leads to life.\u201d (Matthew 7:14)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Application questions: What should believers expect out of the Christian life\u2014is it easy or difficult? How should a proper understanding this paradox affect the way Christians process the realities of everyday life?<\/p>\n

            Facts & Trends<\/em> has written about the implications of this paradox here.<\/p>\n

            Paradox #6: Who\u2019s the judge?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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            • \u201cThe Father judges impartially according to each one\u2019s work.\u201d (1 Peter 1:17)<\/li>\n
            • \u201cThe Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son\u201d (John 5:22)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Application questions: What do these passages reveal about Christ as high priest and king?<\/p>\n

              Paradox #7: Optimist, pessimist, or realist?<\/strong><\/p>\n