If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39
But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Mark 10:31 NIV
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:12 NIV
PAR·A·DOX: A SEEMINGLY ABSURD OR SELF-CONTRADICTORY STATEMENT OR PROPOSITION THAT WHEN INVESTIGATED OR EXPLAINED MAY PROVE TO BE WELL FOUNDED OR TRUE.
Makarios: Joy which has its secret within itself, that joy which is serene and untouchable, and self-contained that joy which is completely independent of all the chances and changes of life.
THE BEATITUDES ARE NOT SITUATIONS YOU FIND YOURSELF IN, BUT THEY ARE A SET OF CREEDS, MOTTOS, AND MINDSETS YOU LIVE BY!
Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the “law” of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity. Romans 7:22-23 TPT
THE WORLD’S CREED IS SELF-RELIANCE
“Trust thyself, every heart vibrates to that iron string. Discontent is the want of self-reliance. It is infirmity of will.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
GOD INSPIRED ACTION, NOT SELF INSPIRED ACTION.
The longings to do what is right are within me, but willpower is not enough to accomplish it. Romans 7:18 TPT
So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death? I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles. Romans 7:24-25
THE PARADOX OF JESUS’ BEATITUDES: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:3-4 NIV
“Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Genesis 18:27
But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”…But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Exodus 3:11;4:10
THIS MINDSET IS A PARADOX BECAUSE AT FIRST, YOU THINK IT IS INVITING SELF-DEPRECATION INTO YOUR LIFE, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY INVITING DIVINE APPLICATION INTO YOUR LIFE!
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:11-12
“The biblical antidote to low self-esteem is not high self-esteem; it is sovereign grace.” John Piper
Because Abraham believed God’s words, his faith transferred God’s righteousness into his account… But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous in his eyes. Romans 4:3;5 TPT
Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain— that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6:10 NIV
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19
TAKE HOME
➡ SURRENDER- There must be an emptying of SELF before there can be a filling of God’s promises.