Some of the Buts in God‘s Word.

The Bible contains many "but" phrases that contrast ideas or present a shift in thought. This quick article hopefully will cause you to take a look and increase your interest in Bible reading. 

Here are some notable examples from various translations and contexts:

1. Genesis 50:20 - "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good..."

2. Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. But..."

3. Psalm 34:19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

4. Psalm 30:5 - "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

5. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength..."

6. Matthew 5:39 - "But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil..."

7. Romans 3:23-24 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but are justified freely by his grace..."

8. Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

9. Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But..."

10. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. But..."

Certainly! The use of "but" in the Bible often indicates a contrast between two ideas, actions, or states. It serves to highlight the grace, mercy, and power of God, often juxtaposed against human shortcomings or circumstances. 

Here are some additional notable "but" phrases along with their contexts:

11. John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

12. Romans 5:8 - "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

13. Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

14. Galatians 6:7-8 - "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

15. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ."

16. Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. But..."

17. 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But..."

18. James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. But..."

19. Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. But..."

20. 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..."

### Themes Highlighted by more "But" Phrases:

A quick way to review some of these contrasting phrases would be to look to the following themes. I’ve outlined a few that you could discover on your own as you go through the scriptures. 

1. Grace vs. Sin: Many passages contrast human sinfulness with God's grace and mercy.

2. Human Weakness vs. Divine Strength: The Bible often presents human limitations alongside God's omnipotence.

3. Temporal vs. Eternal: Many verses point out the fleeting nature of earthly life compared to the eternal life promised through faith.

4. Judgment vs. Salvation: Phrases often juxtapose the consequences of sin with the opportunity for salvation through Christ.

### Importance of "But" in Scripture:

- Contrasts Expectations: "But" phrases often shift expectations, revealing God's surprising ways.

- Offers Hope: They provide a message of hope and redemption, emphasizing that despite our circumstances or failures, there is a divine promise or action at play.

- Encourages Faithfulness: Many "but" statements serve

as reminders to remain faithful and steadfast, reinforcing the idea that God is at work even when situations seem dire.

These contrasts help readers understand the core messages of the Bible, encouraging them to reflect on their own lives and the transformative power of faith. If you're interested in a particular book, theme, or additional examples, please let me know!

This is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more "but" phrases throughout the Bible, each serving to highlight contrasts or key theological points. You may want to explore specific passages to find more examples, as they can significantly enhance your understanding of the text.

The translation of this “conjunctive” word can also be the use of the word, “yet.” 

Check out the Word of the Lord! It will surprise you to hear what God will say to your spirit.

Not A Political Rant, But Unity Matters.

This is not a political rant, but my apologies if something I say offends my readers. Lately we have seen significant transitions in our federal government, with the peaceful transition of leadership. Likewise, there has been significant transition in my own personal life as well.

I don’t want go into details about my personal life, except to say that transitions are inevitable in every organization, business or nonprofit. Having experienced this personally, my thought is on the question, what happens when we are united?

Whether mission, purpose, or even an activity, when people come together, with the blessing of God, and serve the needs of others, being united makes all the difference!

Take for example, a local church group uniting together to serve the least, the last, and the lost . It’s amazing what God will do as we humbly serve one another. 

Philippians chapter 2 tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition It is an amazing truth that the apostle Paul gave to us while he was in prison in writing to a church that he had founded. There was dissension in conflict that arose. While Paul could not address the issue in person, he sent a letter that described how the church ought to be.

We all wrestle with ego. CS Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity that pride is the most insidious of all sin. Pride removes humility. Our human nature wrestles with this each and every day. Whether we find ourselves prideful because of our spiritual growth, or possessions that we have, or skills and abilities. Nevertheless, we may find ourselves acting according to our flesh.

Our total dependency needs to be upon Christ in all matters. Yet, this is a pretty big, rather audacious expectation.

Now let me get to the more controversial statements in this article.

I find it remarkably refreshing. As I look to our national/federal government coordinating efforts with the state government, much can be accomplished as they are cooperative and unified. Certainly there is conflict, and there are criticisms, but, streamlining operations, removing duplications, and finding a united purpose is essential. I know, you’re ready to jump on the comment section, aren’t you? 

When I look to the matters of the church, a leadership team that is united in purpose and activity, can accomplish much more than if they were divided. I think of many examples of this in my own local church as well, you can too.

When there are changes in leadership, that’s when the test begins. Absent of a leader, can cause others to rival for attention that demands to be heard. We might even create “micro political” agendas that are disruptive and unhealthy for an organization. In fact, if an organization is not healthy, this will surface and can be very destructive.

Word of advice: let us pray when there are transitions in leadership within each organization! I often recommend a 21 day prayer and fast at minimum in order to create and open this in our spirit and in our heart. Simply put, prayer unites.

I attend many prayer groups in my weekly activities. Why? I find it refreshing to hear people asking God for the solution to the problems that we experience.  I’m sure this pleases God and it gives opportunity for God to demonstrate once again His Kingdom objectives.

Okay, enough of the rant. What is my challenge? Let’s remain united. Read Philippians and see what God has to say. Don’t make application for someone else, apply the truth for ourselves.