DIFFERENTLY THE SAME

054 – FEBRUARY 2008

DIFFERENTLY THE SAME

Par-a-dox Pronunciation [par-uh-doks] 1. A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

The Bible has a bunch of beautiful paradoxes. Here are a few:

Give to receive.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure …, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Die to live.
Gal 2:19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.”

When you are weak, you are strong.
2 Cor 12:10 “ … for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

One of my own paradox blends is “We are all differently the same.”

We are the same. We all have a body, a soul, and a spirit. We think, we speak, we act. We sleep, we eat, we cry, we laugh. We succeed, we fail, we get hurt, and we cause hurt. We rejoice, we grieve, we justify, we forgive. And, of course, the list goes on. We are the same.

We are different. We certainly look differently from everyone else. We think differently, act differently, and speak differently. Government and Law Enforcement tracks your identity by your unique thumb print, your eyes, and even your ears. We are different.

The relevance of this paradox is in the encouragement that it gives.

A It’s nice to know that you are the same as everyone else. So - We can understand and we can share our lives. We are able to rejoice, to celebrate, and to share our triumphs with one another. We are also able to endure heartaches, face tragedies, lose a friend, and survive conflicts with a loved one. We can have assurance that there will be someone to offer comfort. There will be someone to love you, hug you and serve hope when it is needed. Be encouraged We are all in this together. We were created in the image of God.

B. It’s nice to know that you are different from everyone. You act and react differently than anyone else that ever was or ever will be. Think about it. You are different! You are special! There will never be another you! That is Gods’ creative intention and He loves you. You were created in the image of God.