THE GOD PARADOX

What exactly is a paradox? Is it even possible to have a “God Paradox”? Understanding this question may be one of the Great Secrets of truly being a disciple of Jesus and “Doing the Works He has done, and even Greater Works’ since He has gone to the Father.

In these “Last Days”, the God Paradox may be the one thing we are commanded to know and to do. In fact, this may be vital to our survival, as Jesus put it in Matthew 24:13, “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

One example of this possible “God Paradox” can be found in Philippians 2:12-14:

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

• You work out your own salvation?
• For it is God Who works in you?
• To do and to works for His Good Pleasure?

Which is it? Is it you, working your salvation and doing His Works, or is it God doing His Works through you?

So, what exactly is a PARADOX? A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.

This is one of the great ‘mysteries’ of the Bible and of our intersection with God. The Bible tells us it is possible to both UNDERSTAND this mystery and to have it ACT upon you and within you.

“To make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26-27

I want to relate an example of this mystery by way of my Sunday School teacher.

This man is an accomplished man but a humble man. He is able to relate well to others and is a master storyteller. He is well studied and versed in the Word of God. I consider him a true disciple of Jesus and a great Bible teacher.

Recently, in a review of the Book of Philippians, he was pointing out the many reasons for our Joy, found in this great epistle.

He concluded and asked if there were any final thoughts or remarks or prayer requests. Some in the class had several prayer requests and one praise report.

Once it was quiet, I raised my hand and remarked that I had a prayer request. “First”, I said, “I want to thank you for bringing us these Prophetic Words today. I know that I will never be the same again. My prayer request is that we – all of us – recognize the Prophetic value of these verses and let these Words of God act upon us as we act upon them.”

Our teacher stammered the words, “Who me? Prophetic?”

I replied, “Yes, you. That is, God’s Word, by way of His Spirit, through you. And, thank you!”

He seemed speechless and almost incredulous.

Therein lies the manifest paradox:

• We say it (the Word of God).
• We say we believe it.
• Indeed, we do believe it.
• But, then, don’t we usually try to do it ourselves? Or we don’t try at all.

Once you have “Done the Works of Jesus”, then you are never, ever, the same again!

I want to cite just a few verses regarding “The Works of Jesus”, so we can be certain of the Standard:

Matthew 11:2, says, “Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, verse 3, and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”

Verse 4. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

• the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and
• the lame walk,
• the lepers are cleansed and
• the deaf hear,
• the dead are raised up, and
• the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

John 10:10, says, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

Verse 11. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

Verse 12.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

Verse 13. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

• The Father abiding in Me does His works
• The works that I do, (you) will do also;
• And greater works than these (you) will do; because I go to the Father.

We are commanded by The Prophetic Word of God, to Go into all the world, preaching the Gospel, making disciples, teaching them to do all the Jesus has commanded. We are to lay hands on the sick, and they will recover, tell the blind to receive their sight, tell the lame to walk, raise the dead, feed the hungry, take care of the widowed and orphaned, REMEMBERING that it is God within you doing these Works.

It is our willingness and our obedience, when God intersects with our life, which releases the Power of God through our lives.

PROPHECY IS WHEN WE PLANT THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD IN US, SO HIS WORD AND SPIRIT SPEAKS THE TRUTH TO US, AND HE CAN DO HIS MIGHTY AND RIGHTEOUS WORKS THROUGH US.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Revelation 15:3 “And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”