Glorious Contradictions
The Christian's life is a series of paradoxes, where they are strongest when they are weakest, and most sinless when they feel the most sinful.
A.W. Tozer explores the concept of 'Glorious Contradictions' in the Christian life, emphasizing how believers embody paradoxes that reflect their faith. He illustrates that Christians are both dead and alive, strong in weakness, and find true life through self-denial. Tozer points out that genuine faith often leads to surprising outcomes, such as being most secure when feeling fearful and most sinful when feeling self-righteous. These contradictions highlight the transformative power of Christ in a believer's life, showcasing how they live out the teachings of Jesus. Ultimately, Tozer encourages Christians to embrace these paradoxes as a testament to their faith.
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God has revealed so many glorious contradictions in the lives and conduct of genuine Christian believers that it is small wonder that we are such an amazement to this world. The Christian is dead and yet he lives forever. He died to himself and yet he lives in Christ. The Christian saves his own life by losing it and he is in danger of losing it by trying to save it. It is strange but true that the Christian is strongest when he is weakest and weakest when he is strongest. When he gets down on his knees thinking he is weak, he is always strong. The Christian is in least danger when he is fearful and trusting God and in the most danger when he feels the most self-confident.
He is most sinless when he feels the most sinful and he is the most sinful when he feels the most sinless.
The Christian actually has the most when he is giving away the most; and in all of these ways, the Christian is simply putting into daily practice the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Christian's paradoxical existence
- A. Dead and yet living forever
- B. Dying to self and living in Christ
- II. The Christian's paradoxical strength
- A. Strongest when weakest
- B. Weakest when strongest
- III. The Christian's paradoxical relationship with sin
- A. Most sinless when feeling sinful
- B. Most sinful when feeling sinless
- IV. The Christian's paradoxical approach to giving
- A. Having the most when giving the most
Key Quotes
“The Christian saves his own life by losing it and he is in danger of losing it by trying to save it.” — A.W. Tozer
“The Christian is strongest when he is weakest and weakest when he is strongest.” — A.W. Tozer
“He is most sinless when he feels the most sinful and he is the most sinful when he feels the most sinless.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian, you must be willing to die to yourself and live in Christ in order to experience true strength and sinlessness.
- When you feel weak, it is often a sign that you are strong, and when you feel strong, it may be a sign that you are weak.
- The key to a life of sinlessness is to trust in God's forgiveness and help, and to be aware of your sin and seek His mercy.