Babylon

CHRISTIAN PARADOX ?

Paradox is defined as :

1. formerly, a statement contrary to common belief

2. a statement that seems contradictory, unbelievable, or absurd but that may actually be true in fact

3. a statement that is self-contradictory in fact, hence, false

4. a person, situation, act, etc. that seems to have contradictory or inconsistent qualities

Paradox may be a paradox itself.

The theologian of the New Testament, Paul the Apostle, quotes from Psalms 14 and 53 in Romans 3:10, 12, saying :

There is none righteous, no not one

There is none that doeth good, no not one

Few would contend with these statements, yet throughout the Bible one is admonished to do ...what ? Every one is admonished to do good . Really now !

On the one hand there is none that do good, but all are encouraged, admonished, and commanded to do good. Is this a paradox ? Is this a contradiction ?

While the Psalms and Romans tell us there is not one that does good, Job 1 and 2 says that Job was perfect, upright and feared God and eschewed evil. To make sure we get the point this is stated twice.

How was Job perfect, upright and one who feared God and eschewed evil ? The same way that Noah was.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless ... how ? AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HIS TIME. Genesis 6:9 NIV . Noah was "good" among the people of his time. Noah was seen as a good man. His goodness could be seen. This is in harmony with Matthew 5:16 which says, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven .

To the men of his generation, Noah was good. How does man`s good works appear before God ? Isaiah tells us that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 . So what appears good to men, is not good before God.

When Jesus was addressed as good master, He said that there is none that is good but one, and that is God.

Why then is the emphasis throughout the Scriptures for man to do good ? Here are three reasons.

1. It benefits society when men do good, and do not lie, cheat, steal, and kill .

2. As mentioned in Matthew 5:16, men`s good works causes others to glorify God.

3. The law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ- over and over again. As we attempt to do good, and fall short, it causes us to depend on the goodness, the righteousness, the forgiveness that is in Jesus.

The closer we come to Christ, the more faulty we will appear in our own eyes, convincing us that only the goodness/righteousness that is in Jesus brings salvation. There is nothing, not one thing in us, and never will be, that brings salvation . The highest place to which man can attain in this life is at the foot of the cross. Amen .

CHRISTIAN PARADOX ?

Christian Paradox?