Discovering contrast between things helps us appreciate the good things, avoid the not so good things and make informed decisions. We would not appreciate light without darkness with which to contrast it. Even when making a purchase, we put items side by side to see the differences. Often the best choice seems to jump out at us when we see the contrast.
The enemy continually points out apparent “inconsistencies” to unbelievers to get them to doubt the infallible truth of God’s word. But what appear to be contradictions are usually just contrasts between physical and spiritual truths. When Jesus dictated letters for John to write to the seven churches in Revelation he used two such contrasts. In the letter to the church at Smyrna (Revelation 2:9) we find, “I know about your suffering and your poverty – but you are rich.” That seems to be a contradiction. How can they be both in poverty and rich? It is a contrast between their physical, earthly poverty and their spiritual, heavenly riches. In the letter to the church in Laodicea the contrast is reversed. “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ and you don’t realize you are wretched and poor and blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:1) Again, how can they be rich and poor at the same time? It is a contrast between their physical, earthly riches and their spiritual, heavenly poverty. Both statements are true, but true in different realms.
The most glaring and important contrast in the Bible is found between the life of a Christian and the life of an unbeliever. Scripture makes it very clear that if you are born once, you will die twice; if you are born twice, you will die only once. If you are only born in the flesh, you will die in the flesh and then die again in the spirit. One definition of death is separation. The first death separates body from spirit. The second death separates spirit from God. In contrast, if you are born in the flesh and then born in the Spirit, you will die in the flesh and then live forever in the presence of God, never separated from Him. (See John 3:1-8)
We are born with an earthly perspective. It isn’t until we are born of the Spirit that we gain a heavenly perspective that allows us to see the contrast between the two. Jesus was a man and when Satan tempted Him, he tried to appeal to His earthly perspective, but Jesus also had a spiritual perspective and it was that heavenly perspective based on God’s word that gave Him the advantage. He knows the human body needs food to continue living, but He also knows the human spirit needs every word of God to sustain spiritual life. (Luke 4:4 and Matthew 4:4)
Why would anyone choose to die twice? Could it be that Christians have not shown them enough contrast? Can they look at our life and see the important differences spiritual birth makes? Without clear contrast, how can they make that crucial decision to receive the second, spiritual birth? It is up to us to share the wonderful Good News with them, not in words only, but also demonstrated in the contrast between our life and theirs.