The Other side of But??

Text Scripture Romans 6:23

Introduction:

But is a conjunction word in sentence structure. It always connects two statements, thoughts or ideas. Most of the time it is within one sentence and sometimes it connects sentences. The statements or ideas can support each other, contrast each other, or conflict each other. If that happens it is called an Oxymoron. But can also connect a negative and a positive. Biblicaly but is an important word. It appears almost as many times as God throughout the Bible. God appears 4,447 times from Genesis to Revelation in the KJV and a similar high number in other popular translations. But appears 3,994 times.

 

It is used in many different kinds of ways but here I am going to focus on the contrast between bad and Good in the relationship of God and man. I will start with (Rom. 6:23) which says; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” KJV

 

. On the left side of but it is stated that the wages of Sin is Death. That is an Absolute that will never change. If you notice, something happened on the other side of But because eternal death is turned into eternal life. What happened? God stepped in and provided a solution to a dilemma that man had no solution for. We were all born in Sin (Rom. 5:12) and destined to die. God Gave His Son and The Son gave His life in order that we may live. (Jn. 3:16) Why was that necessary? The sin sacrifice had to be that of a sinless one. Even if we had been willing to die for our sins the sacrifice would not have been adequate to eradicate the debt because we are sinful. In all of the BUT situations we will examine today we will see that God stepped in. This is however the only time He had to allow His Son to die to solve the problem.

Our first But statement is found in Gen. 39:20-21 and it says; “And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” When Joseph met his brothers later he told them that what they did they meant it for evil But God meant it for Good. When God allows things to get rough for you just remember that He is always on the other side waiting to bless you with His goodness.

In II Cor. 4:8-9 we find a cluster of buts and it says in the (KJV): “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” After reading that in any version all one can say is “Thank God for the But”

 

Conclusion:

 

The last but I will look at here is found in Rev. 22:3 and it says; “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;” KJV The IT referred to here is The Holy City or The dwelling place of God that will be brought in at the beginning of eternity that is prepared for all of those that love Him at His Second Coming. Will you be there? If you have not prepared yourself by accepting The Lord Jesus as your personal Savior you won’t be there, BUT I have some Good News for you; You can Right NOW prepare yourself to be there. Let (Rom. 10:9-10) guide you. It says; “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Rev. George Pryor M. Th.

Pastor Emeritus

revgap@gmail.com