The Bible is full of contradictory concepts. We have the virgin birth which many would consider an oxymoron. We have the long awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ, coming to earth as a baby not a warrior. After he convinces everyone he is the Savior, he is crucified and dies. Then he is resurrected and goes off to heaven. God just doesn’t seem to do things in what we humans would call a logical way.
There are other things God mentions that may seem illogical to us:
- Jesus is the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8)
- God became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
- If we want to get, we must give (Ecclesiastes 11:1; Luke 6:38)
- We must forgive others even if they don’t forgive us. (Matthew 6:15)
- If we want to live forever, we must die. (Matthew 16:25)
- Freedom means serving others. (Galatians 5:13)
- God uses the foolish to confound the wise. (I Corinthians 1:27)
- To be exalted, we must humble ourselves. (Matthew 18:14; 1 Peter 5:6)
- God loved the world so much he sent his son to die for it. (John 3:16,17)
On the surface this list may seem like a contradiction of concepts. Therefore they are difficult for people to understand. Which surprises me because people are perfectly willing to accept the latest oxymora that comes along. We accept virtual reality, local long distance, genuine imitations, authentic reproductions, paid volunteers, and non dairy creamer. However, just like oxymora are used for special effects, God uses Biblical phraseology in the same way. It deepens our understanding of salvation and enhances our relationship with God.
We may think God is illogical but our ways are not God’s ways. Our thought process is not God’s thought process.
In a world where we celebrate Labor Day by not doing any work, it should be easier to accept the concept that Jesus lived and died but can really be alive!
