## Divine Paradoxes

## I Peter 2:9

A paradox is a seemingly contradiction. Webster says, "A statement that is seemingly contradictory of opposed to common sense and yet, is perhaps true."

One thing is said, then another statement is made which seems to contradict or cross what has been said; that is a paradox.

There are some paradoxes when it comes to a person being a Christian. It can be confusing if we do not carefully consider the Scriptures. Today we want to consider some of those seeming contradictions.

I. Christians are both Dead and Alive.

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romams 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

A. The Bible Refers To A Christian As Being Dead But At The Same Time Being Alive.

1. This seemingly contradiction in these scriptures is that the child of God is represented as dead,

2. Yet Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish."

3. So a Christian is dead and alive at the same time, a paradox.

B. In Order To Understand The Paradox, One Must Understand What Dead And Alive Really Mean.

1. Death is separation from a source of power or energy.

2. Life, on the other hand, is connection with a source of life of energy.

3. It is a matter of either separation or contact.

a. If one severs his hand from his arm, the hand dies because it has no contact with its source of life.

b. The same is true when a limb is cut from a tree.

4. A child of God cannot be separated from God.

C. The Unsaved Person Is Separated From God.

1. This makes him dead in sin.

2. Upon repenting of sin and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, he comes in contact with God and is made alive in Him.

II. A Christian Has Nothing, Yet Possesses All.

Note: Mat 19:27-29

A. Our Possessions Are Not Of This World

1. The world is living for things on this old world.

2. Our inheritance is in heaven.

B. Our Efforts Will Be Worth It All One Day.

1. Pioneers hitched their oxen, or teams, pointed their wagons westward and started across the plains to the west.

2. They endured some hard times.

3. They were attacked by Indians, as we are attacked by the devil.

4. They had to put off some excess baggage, as we need to put off some excess baggage on the trip.

5. They slept on the ground, in the wagons or wherever they could sleep.

6. It was a hard trip, but it was worth it all when they got to the end of the trail.

7. It will be worth it all one day when we get to the end of the trail.

Romans 8:18, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

1 Corinthians 2:9 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.

III. Christians are contented, but yet not satisfied.

A. This Old World Is Not Good Enough For The Child Of God.

1. We are thankful for the provision of this life.

2. Yet we know there is a better place.

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

B. A Christian Is To Be Satisfied With His Lot On This Earth.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1. The world wants to build bigger barns.

2. The world wants to keep getting more and more.

3. The world wants to build bigger bank accounts.

4. Christians are to be content, but yet to not be satisfied.

This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

IV. Christians are Good people, yet there is No Good in them at all.

Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

A. Good People

1. Christians do more good than anyone else on earth.

2. Yet they claim no credit for their good work.

3. This is the way of life of a Christians.

4. Christians deny any good works that they do.

Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteous-nesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

B. Servants Do What Is Expected Of Them.

1. A servant milked the cow; the master got to drink the milk.

2. The servant fed the hog; the master ate the bacon.

3. The servant picked the apples; the master ate the apple pie.

4. We as servants of God, just do what is expected of us.

C. The Children Of God Do Good, But Deny Any Goodness.

1. Only goodness is the righteousness of God.

2. We cannot earn our way to Heaven.

3. Entrance to Heaven is only by the unmerited grace of God.

Don't let these paradoxes confuse you. God is good. He is our strength. He is our refuge. He is in control.

This morning if you are without Christ, realize that you are condemned already. But God has made a provision for your salvation. He sent His Son, Jesus to Calvary to pay the price for your deliverance. You can be saved today. You can connect with the Source of Eternal Life!

Christian, you are unique. God has saved us, but we have been left here on this earth to accomplish His will and fulfill His plan for our life. Are we actively involved in doing what God wants? Are we serving Him with our lives?