The Paradox of the Christian Life

There is something about the Christian life that does not make sense to those outside of the Church. This life does not look like what a religious life is assumed to look like. Followers of God, it is assumed, should be successful, wealthy, and happy. But I think we all know from experience that this is not how the Christian life actually unfolds.

Listen again to how Paul the Apostle describes the Christian life: “As impostors, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” Everything about this is paradoxical. Everything appears to be a contradiction. And yet this paradox is not accidental. It is the very shape of the Christian life, because it is the shape of Christ Himself.

This morning, consider this truth: The Christian life appears weak, but is powerful, because you are united to Christ.