There are things that are paradoxical in the Christian life. Consider the following scriptures:
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Corinthians 12:10
“There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” Proverbs 13:7
“And then there are concepts that can seem a bit difficult to understand, like:
Jesus said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'” John 3:7
The apostle Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
And there are ways of living that Jesus instructs us in that are contrary to how we would naturally act, consider:
Jesus said, "I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
It’s no wonder that there are things of the Lord that are difficult and confusing to us, as we are used to seeing and understanding with our natural eyes and intellect, yet as believers we are called to see with eyes of faith, and as Abraham, “saw him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27), realizing that it is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are able to discern and understand the things of God, as is indicated in 1 Cor.2:14.: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
So, don’t worry if things seem different in life as you follow Jesus – Jesus’ disciples in the early church were accused of “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) when actually they were turning the world right-side-up.
Louis J. Locke is founding pastor at Carson City Foursquare Church. www.shinenv.org
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