Counterintuitive

Counterintuitive is that which is opposite to intuitive. (Thanks, Stan. We think we've got this without your help.) No, stick with me for a moment. The word is defined as that which is contrary to common-sense expectation, but it includes the caveat that it is still true. You know, like "If you're sore from too much exercise, do some exercise." Sounds wrong, but it works out that stretching sore muscles helps relieve the pain. That kind of thing.

I wrote about how, biblically, the way to a self-fulfilling marriage was self-sacrifice. That is counterintuitive. As it turns out, a lot of Christianity is counterintuitive.

Last is First
Jesus said it, so it's true. "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) Any standard person would say, "No! That makes no sense." But it's true. If you want to be great in God's kingdom, learn to be the servant of all. And, of course, when you think it through, it might even become reasonable. Others aren't quite so easy.

Joy in Suffering
James says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." (James 1:2) Now that's just not right! Or is it? Peter said, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13) Paul said "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." (Rom 5:3) The author of Hebrews wrote, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:11) It appears as if we have a running theme--running counter to what we would expect. The Bible teaches that in the midst of tribulation (rather than apart from) "we are more than conquerors" (Rom 8:35-39), and suffering is actually to our benefit.

Satisfaction through Submission
I wrote about how self-sacrifice in marriage produces greater satisfaction in life. It works itself out elsewhere, too. In a married relationship, mutual submission (Eph 5:21) includes the wife submitting to her husband "as to the Lord" (Eph 5:25) and the husband loving his wife as he "loves himself" (Eph 5:28-30) as a profound illustration of Christ's relationship to the Church (Eph 5:32). Peter says that a submissive wife may win an unbelieving husband "without a word" (1 Peter 3:1-6) and husband who submits his own preferences to his wife's needs will not have his prayers hindered (1 Peter 3:7). In the life of the Christian, James says, "'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God." (James 4:6-7) That is, submit to God or He will be opposed to you. Bow to Him and He gives grace. And, of course, grace is what we want.

Righteous Sinners
One of the most astounding counterintuitive truths in all of Christianity is that we are both sinners and righteous. We know we're sinners (1 John 1:8), and that we do not, in this life, stop sinning (1 John 2:1-2), and yet we are declared righteous. Unlike some groups, the Bible teaches that we are imputed righteousness rather than being personally righteous. "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Cor 5:21) Our sin was imputed to Him, and in return we were declared righteous. We are "found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own" (Phil 3:9). Righteousness is credited to us by faith and not by works (Rom 4:3-4). So while we are declared righteous, the Christian life is the pursuit of that "to which we have already attained" (Phil 3:16).

Victory through Death
The ultimate counterintuitive truth is the concept of victory through death. In dying and rising again, Jesus declared victory over death (1 Cor 15). We, too, are called to die (Rom 6:3). In that death, we are set free from sin (Rom 6:7). Paul said, "I die daily" (1 Cor 15:31). We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) and to "put to death the deeds of the flesh" (Rom 8:13). This, according to Scripture, is victorious Christian living.

There is more, of course, but you start to get the idea. The truth is that if Christianity was a man-made religion, you wouldn't expect much of these counterintuitive things. On the other hand, if it is God's idea, you should be surprised if it aligned with human thinking. These counterintuitives, then, serve as a fingerprint of God and an encouragement to "come out from them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17).