He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it (Matthew 10:39 NIV).

A paradox is a statement that does not seem to make sense; but when understood, makes a ton of sense. In fact, a paradox seems to say something that could not be said as well any other way. Can you think of any paradoxes?

Jesus used paradoxical statements often in the Gospels. This was to draw His listeners into His teaching and to separate the 'real' believers from the 'not-so-real' believers. Paul often did the same thing with his audience.

Many people see being a follower of Jesus as a paradox. But to the student of Jesus, it makes all the sense in the world. Here are a few of those paradoxes Jesus brought to our attention and calls us to live out.

1. We Find by Losing. "He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39).
2. We Receive by Giving. "Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back" (Luke 6:38).
3. We are Exalted by Being Humble. "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
4. We Become Great by Becoming Small. "Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
5. Our Weakness is our Strength. And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is make perfect in weakness" (1 Corinthians 12:9).
6. We Rule by Serving. "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be a slave of all" (Mark 10:45).
7. We Live by Dying. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me (Galatians 2:20).

If the life of a follower of Jesus is a paradox, then the actions of individual and corporate Christians should look different than those who do not follow Jesus yet. They should be left in wonder. Our upside-down-life should challenge their whole approach to life.

-Jeff Baxter

How are you doing at living a paradox or the upside-down Kingdom? Take one of the seven above and work on it this week. You will make a world of difference.