PERFECT PARADOX

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 203

My portion of the service had taken a pause. It was time for me to sit a spell and become one in many voices with the congregation. And there, resting comfortably in my pastor’s chair—which undoubtedly looks too much like a throne—the reader began speaking the Words of God.

First came the words of Jeremiah, the ancient prophet lamenting how he felt he was set up by God to suffer; yet through it all, he continued to speak the truths his audience didn’t want to hear. Then, the Psalms, read in concert: reader, then congregation; a song where the people recite the chorus within each verse.

Next was the Epistle: truths impressed upon St. Paul by the Holy Spirit, reminding us of our human proclivity to sin. Yet, also therein, God’s immeasurable grace is poured out so that we can choose to live for Him. Well, don’t take it from me; hear what Paul wrote for yourself:

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace." Romans 6—CSB

And just like that, hearing the words of the Apostle again, I was acutely aware of how my own dark desires and deeds fail the God who hung on the cross to save me from myself: the perfect paradox if there ever was one.

He, Jesus—the visible image of the invisible God, the perfect one from above—hanging on a cross for my imperfection. His compassion given for my crassness; His taking my punishment, pardoning me for my indescribable impurity.

As Adam read the words that St. Paul was inspired to write, I again began to thank the Lord for His immeasurable grace. I thanked Him for giving His Word to remind me that I desperately need Him to save me from myself. His Word is like a sword, cutting into my heart, slicing between my spirit and soul, judging the thoughts and intentions of my heart.

I am imperfect, yet He trades His perfection for my imperfections to make me perfect. I am unholy, yet He died to make me holy before a very Holy God. I am unworthy of Him, yet He has called me from my unworthiness to be worthy of Himself. My mind cannot comprehend Him, yet He revealed Himself to us so we could comprehend His love.

Jesus Christ is the Perfect Paradox. Today, I am profoundly thankful for Him, for His Word, and for the mercy, grace, and forgiveness He gives. While this might seem like a simple realization, today I was once again pierced by God’s Word—the exact words I needed to hear.

While I am thankful every day for God’s Word—our daily bread—I thought it was fitting today to share this public pronouncement. What if someone besides me just needs to hear it?

Thank you, Father, for Your Word, and Your Son Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. And thank you for Your Holy Spirit, whom You gave to draw all people back to Yourself—even a bloke like me.