God's Paradoxical Ways

[Zulu]

Students of the Word of God have called attention to the double cleansing of the Temple -- one at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and one at its close. Isn't it curious that we call it 'the cleansing of the temple?' To the eyes of the flesh, the temple was much 'cleaner' before Jesus entered; after He finished cleansing it, birdcages were upset, silver coins were all over the floor, animals were running around wildly, and tables were upside down. What kind of cleansing is that? What a graphic illustration of His paradoxical ways!

Do not think that God has not heard and answered your prayer because the exact opposite of what you supposed would happen has taken place. His ways are not our ways. The more we go forward in the Lord, the more we will experience His paradoxical ways in our lives. Christians under heavy oppression used to chant the following words to cheer their souls as they waited patiently for God to rescue them:

'The only way up is down'

When Israel cried for deliverance from Egypt, things got a lot worse before they got better. In Nebuchadnezzar's dream when the stone from heaven struck the clay feet of the great image that represented the kingdoms of this world, there was much dust and debris caused by the crumbling of the image. Before the stone could grow into a universal kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ, there had to be the destruction of the evil kingdoms of this world! That was messy!

If God cleanses His temple by turning things upside-down, perhaps any disruptions you are experiencing in your life are actually vivid evidences of God's mighty working in your life. He knows if there are tables in your life that need to be overturned; He knows if there are animals to be driven out. The mess may be the harbinger to the cleansing. In any event, do not doubt that the Lord has heard your cry and is answering your prayer in His own time and way.

Do not stumble over His paradoxical ways; faith knows that they are perfect. Who would have guessed that such a wonderful salvation would result from the tragedy of the cross? When God begins to work paradoxically in your life, lift up your voice to Heaven and proclaim:

"... all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." [Romans 8:28; Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary]

 

[heide88]

my best friend fom school is a non christain and went i asked her what she thought about god she said that she thought he was a paradox, how can you telll some one who isnt a christain that even tho asd christains we suffer grat but at the samr time we dont mind or fear as we have god on our side?

 

[stephen]

There is no paradox in the plan of the Almighty. No contradiction. None whatsoever. Nothing seemingly absurd in the claims of Jesus.

Paradox relates to the duplicity of humanity.

My thoughts.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Zulu,

God's ways are not paradoxical except in the mindsets of those who want to create the illusuion of paradox in his ways. Your reference to people seeing Jesus' "cleansing of the temple" in the literal concept of janitor work is a prime example of this.

God didn't create that paradox; it is the work of people who want to justify their refusal to hear the Good News by creating confusion around the subject.


SLE

 

[Zulu]

God's ways are not paradoxical except in the mindsets of those who want to create the illusuion of paradox in his ways. Your reference to people seeing Jesus' "cleansing of the temple" in the literal concept of janitor work is a prime example of this.

Exactly what I am trying to say,human create such ideas:

This was the message of that posting:

Do not stumble over His paradoxical ways; faith knows that they are perfect. Who would have guessed that such a wonderful salvation would result from the tragedy of the cross? When God begins to work paradoxically in your life, lift up your voice to Heaven and proclaim:

 

[heide88]

i don't think that God is a paradox at all it is written that he never goes back on his word but i would like help in how you would explain this to a non christian

 

[Zulu]

Heide88 God is not a paradox and He never goes back on His word. You are correct in your statement here. My posting was never to say that God is a paradox. I was only saying that the way things are for us humans, the ways of the Lord seems strange. Because you might not get what you asked for right now but when the time is right then you will get that.
If the Lord knows that you are not going to be able to afford a Mercedes Benz car and you ask Him for one, and He knows that you would be able to maintain a small Mini car then you might get that instead. He knows best for you. We just don't see it His way because His ways are above our reasoning.

How do you explain that to a non-Christian? I have to think and pray for guidance on this question. Maybe someone can answer you on that.

 

[Zulu]

The true God is a good God Who is kind and loving and concerned about all of His children in every nation! The Bible tells us that He is a loving Heavenly Father Who loves you as His Own dear child, Who created this beautiful World as a home for you to live in and enjoy.

Unfortunately, many people picture God as some kind of a great all-seeing Eye Who follows them around with a big stick over their heads, Who is always ready to clobber them and punish them for all their sins, mistakes and weaknesses. However, the Bible tells us that this is not the case at all, but that God is loving and gentle, merciful and forgiving, and that the only reason He follows anyone around is because He's hoping they'll turn around and meet Him, for He's waiting for them with open arms!

In fact, the Bible tells us, "God is Love!"--1John 4:8.--He's not some kind of a cruel monster Who enjoys seeing His creations suffer, Who wants to deny us all pleasure and happiness and make us miserable! He's not a heartless tyrant Who is trying to frighten everyone into Hell.--He is a God of Love Who is trying to love everyone into Heaven!

Jesus said, "God is a Spirit: And those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth!"--John 4:24. He is not a mere person in the sense that you and I are, for He and His Spirit surpass the entire Universe!

God is omnipresent--everywhere; omnipotent--all-powerful; and omniscient--all-knowing! He cannot be confined to any particular place, and certainly not to a mere temple, altar, shrine, religious building or place of worship!--He says, "Do not I fill Heaven and Earth? Behold, even the heavens and the Heaven of heavens cannot contain Me!--For the Most High God does not dwell in temples made with hands!"--Jeremiah 23:24; 1Kings 8:27; Acts 7:48. God is the great basic Power and Guiding Light of the Universe, the Almighty Creator, the Great Spirit of Love Who has brought all things into being. As Man's loving fatherly Creator, He has a kind and benign purpose in store for us, a final fulfillment of all of our longings for love, life, liberty and happiness!--He loves you!

Although He is the one and only Creator, the one Almighty God, there are also many lesser spiritual personalities and powers whom He has created.--In fact, there is an entire Realm, the Spirit World, in which there are countless millions of spiritual inhabitants, who, though usually invisible to our mortal eyes, exist just the same. There are both good spirits--Angels and the Heavenly spirits of those who once lived on Earth but have passed on to live with the Lord, as well as bad spirits--demons or devils! But God alone is the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent Almighty Creator! All of these other spirits are lesser personalities who operate within the bounds which God Himself has established for them.

The good spirits, the Angels of God, are busy loyally serving Him. The evil forces of the Spirit World, the devils and demons, are in rebellion against God, and are followers of a powerful rebel angel known as Satan, or the Devil. He and his forces are an opposing force who are in constant spiritual warfare with the good forces of God. Instead of trying to love and help Mankind and draw us closer to God--like the Angels do --these demons are constantly seeking to deceive, conquer and destroy Man, trying to influence and sway him to rebel against God! It is the Devil and his forces who are largely responsible for much of the chaos, confusion, cruelty, carnage, and destruction that we see in today's troubled World!

One of the main preoccupations of the Devil's evil spiritual forces is to try to hinder and prevent Man from finding and entering into God's eternal Kingdom of Love, Light and Salvation. The Bible says Satan is "the god of this World, who blinds the eyes of those who do not believe in God, to prevent the light of the Truth of God from shining unto them."--2Corinthians 4:3,4.

So it is vitally important for you, as a sincere seeker of Truth, to be very careful and discerning in your search for the realities of the Spirit World, lest you be hindered or deceived by the Devil or one of his lying spirits!

I have some work on seeking the Truth which I will start to post soon. The above is some of it.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

i don't think that God is a paradox at all it is written that he never goes back on his word but i would like help in how you would explain this to a non christian

I would not try and explain such complications to a non christian. They need to shown the good news and brought into the Kingdom of God. They also need to hear things plain and simple as they will not understand a lot of the Christian lingo. We can share with them what is written in the Bible the book of truth.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[SpiritLedEd]

i don't think that God is a paradox at all it is written that he never goes back on his word but i would like help in how you would explain this to a non christian

As far as explaining God's paradoxes is concerned, here are a couple of web addresses to check out:

seekfind.org

christian-thinktank.com

SLE