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Articles
But God
In all my years of English class, I was always taught to never start a sentence with the words – “and” or “but.” But I have never been very good at following instructions. The point behind my teacher’s instruction seems to have been driven by her desire for me to write clearer, then I would normally talk. At the very least, I have never forgotten her instruction. My writing may contain other grammatical errors, but I have always been extremely cautious of using the words - “and” and but” - at the beginning of my sentences. But then I remembered that some of the Bible’s greatest verses begin with this promising phrase – “But God…”.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, gave to his audience an unbelievable list of blessings we have obtained through God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3-14). What began as a general summary of “all spiritual blessings” is broken down into the specific actions that each of the godhead accomplished for our salvation. The Father has chosen and predestined us for adoption as sons before the foundation of the world (1:4-6). The Son has redeemed us and forgiven us through the shedding of His blood (1:7-12). The Holy Spirit has revealed the message of the gospel through the apostles and prophets, enabling us all the opportunity to become heirs of the inheritance and God’s own possession (1:13-14). What have any one of us ever done to deserve such bountiful blessings from our Creator?
The apostle Paul gives us the quick answer - “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins” (2:1). We were created with the freewill to choose between good and evil; unfortunately, we choose “indulging the desires of the flesh and mind, and were by nature children of wrath” (2:3). This guilt was laid at the feet of both Jews and Gentiles. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We were lost and without hope. We deserve nothing as the penalty of our rebellion, “But God” did not leave us without hope.
This simple phrase, “But God,” in the English language does not have any special significance, but for the audience of Paul’s letter the phrase is powerful. The result of man’s rebellion is DEATH (2:1-3)! The result of God’s rich mercy and great love is LIFE (2:4-5)! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in our lives through the gospel (1:19-20). We have been saved by God’s grace! Our salvation is the result of God’s love for all mankind, even while we were still sinners. Look at the similarities of these two verses written by the apostle Paul –
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:4-5).
The phrase – “But God” – is a promise of salvation to all who will hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I may continue to exercise caution in starting sentences with the words – “but” and “and” – but this will not keep me from seeing the power of the phrase, “but God”, in the New Testament. Our God has not chosen the wise, mighty, and noble things of this world, “but God” chose the foolish and weak things of this world to bring salvation (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). Our salvation is impossible with man, “but with God” all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). We may sow the seed, and others may water, “but God” will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). We deserve God’s wrath and judgement, but thanks be to God for His abundant grace, rich mercy, and great love which gives us salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ!
