Some sceptics have often attacked the Christian faith claiming that many parts of our belief have many contradictions. I don't know about Christianity having contradictions because if it has it means that it doesn't work. But based on experience and facts, the truth that keeps coming out is that our faith is very much real and it works.
What we see in our faith is not a handful of contradictions but rather a good amount of paradoxes. While some paradoxes only cause more confusion, there are several paradoxes in the Christian faith that bring more light. Here are four paradoxes of the Christian faith that bring more clarity and make our faith truly something worth holding on to.
We Are Dead But Alive
Romans 6:4 tells us, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
This is a paradox which means that while we die to our sinful nature more and more, we live more and more in the ways of Christ.
As we live on this earth, we are in between death and life, experiencing a little of both. But once death is made complete in this body while the spirit lives, we are promised pure life for all eternity.
Victorious in Christ's Wounds
It's wonderful news yet also a terrible one to know the victory we have in Christ's death. On one hand, we are dismayed by our depravity that we would cause such grief to our Lord. Yet on the other hand, we are extremely grateful that Jesus was more than willing to pay the full price for us to live victoriously, and that price was His own life.
Isaiah 53:5 tells us, "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Rejoicing in Trials
As the world expresses joy in earthly victory, we as believers are taught to rejoice even in deepest trials because in trials we still experience a valuable benefit—the building of our perseverance and faith. James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
God's wonderful design allows us to still exist even in our deepest difficulties. We can rejoice even when the world calls us to grieve.
Having Nothing but Having Everything
We are poor, but in every way rich. How is this? Following Christ doesn't literally mean that we turn into paupers, but a deep satisfaction in Christ will cause us to lose desire for even the greatest riches the world will have to offer.
In 2 Corinthians 6:10 Paul says that we are deemed "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."
Sure, God wants to bless you, but to be truly focused on Him means still being faithful and passionate for Him even if He doesn't.
