To justify an apparent paradox you have to jump through some complicated hoops. I think it is both simpler than you make it out to be, yet at the same time vastly more complex.
“To justify an apparent paradox you have to jump through some complicated hoops. I think it is both simpler than you make it out to be, yet at the same time vastly more complex.”
It just seems a paradox because you do not understand it, or are unwilling to give up the false premise which starts it. This is why I say, and still say, to go and pray on it, and ask God for both true understanding and that your soul may be quickened, if it hasn’t already been.
We can discuss paradox and hoops all day, but never forget God loves us and wants us to be reconciled with Him:
1 John 4:16 - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:10 - Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
Ephesians 2:4 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 Corinthians 13:4 - Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Hebrews 12:6 - For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Romans 8:39 - Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Ephesians 1:4 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Romans 5:5 - And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.