But God…
The lesson this morning was from Ephesians again. The scripture that was the focus was Ephesians 2:1-7
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
I looked up the phrase “But God” on Bible Gateway and there were 10 examples before you even get out of Genesis.
In Ephesians we were dead in our sins and transgressions….But God loved and saved through grace.
I never really understood the difference between sins and transgressions before. It was explained that sins are simply missing the mark. In order to get to heaven on our own works all we have to do is be perfect like out Father, Well that’s a snap huh? Miss the mark? Just by a little LOL
A transgression is a willful act of disobedience. We know the direction we are to walk and we turn around and walk our own way instead. If you have ever raised a child you may have had a time when you told your toddler not to touch something only to have them reach for it anyway – sometimes while they are looking right at you! That’s us.
The bible has so many “But God” examples. We sinned, God sent a flood, But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Gen.8:1
Joseph’s brothers threw him into a well and then sold him into slavery and he ended up being in a position to save their lives. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Gen. 50:20
David his from Solomon fearing for his life: David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. 1 Sam. 23:14
Those who trust in themselves are destined for the grave…But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Psalm 49
The so-called religious leaders looked down on Jesus. The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:14-15
Peter preached to the people – not easy Christianity, but strong words. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. Acts 3:15
Money or marital troubles that you can’t see how to fix? You may not know how you are going to get through it – “But God“!
Trials with your health, job or family that seem to big for you alone? They may be to big for you “But God”!
Afraid that you can’t walk in the way God wants you to walk? You can’t in your own power, “But God“!
But God….
Wow. Your depth amazes me.
I wish it was me that was deep but you know it’s a powerful lesson when you come home from church and want to open your Bible and go deeper and find more. I’m not so deep, but God…:)