Waverly Church of Christ

The Bible contains many paradoxes. What are paradoxes? Merriam-Webster defines a paradox as "a statement or sentiment that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true."

For example, Scripture teaches that you must lose your life in order to find it: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25, NASB95). It teaches that the weak are strong: "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB95). Furthermore, it states that the persecuted are blessed: "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10, NASB95). It reveals that the slave is free and the free man is a slave: "For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave" (1 Corinthians 7:22, NASB95). It reminds us that the last will be first: "So the last shall be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16, NASB95). Finally, it notes that to be great, you must serve: "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 20:26, NASB95).

Tonight, I would like for us to look at two paradoxes that James presents to his readers which focus upon where their emphasis should be. These two paradoxes are found in verses 9 and 10 of James chapter 1. As we look at them, I believe we will find those areas of our lives in which we are called to be paradoxical.