But God

March 25

But God
de theos

After reading about the horrendous depravity of man in Eph_2:1-3, the first two words of Eph_2:4 declare, “But God.” What follows (Eph_2:4-10) is the description of the glorious salvation that we have in Christ by grace (see February 13) alone, through faith (see February 8) alone, in Christ (see April 5) alone.

Unfortunately, however, we sometimes tend to overlook a tiny word like but. Here, however, it introduces the greatest contrast in the universe.

In a sense, these two words contain the entire Gospel message. Why? Because they show the ultimate contrast: They show man’s plight, but God’s provision; they picture man’s impotence, but God’s intervention; they describe man’s helplessness, but declare God’s hope.

In general, de (G1161) shows “distinction.” It also serves, however, to mark a transition to something new. Therefore, as God (theos, G2316, see April 3) is the subject of the sentence, He then is the distinction; He is the transition; He is the One who marks the ultimate contrast between what we were and what we are!

Without God’s provision, intervention, and hope, we would still be dead in our trespasses and sins, doomed forever.

Think of it! Once we were dead (see February 12), now we’re alive (Rom_6:13; 1Co_15:22);

once we were enemies of God, now we’re friends (Col_1:21; cf. Luk_7:34; see November 18);

once we were aliens, now we are citizens (Eph_2:12-13; see December 2);

once we were lost, now we are found (Luk_15:6, Luk_15:9, 24, 32);

once we were far off, now we are near (Eph_2:13);

once we were cut off from God, now we have access to him (Rom_5:2);

once we were at war with God, now we are at peace with Him (Rom_5:1);

and once we were condemned, now we are justified (Rom_5:9).

All that because of “But God.” As the psalmist declares: “Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me” (Psa_49:14-15).

And as Paul echoes in Rom_5:7-8: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Scriptures for Study: Note the contrasts in the following: revelation (1Co_2:9-10); deliverance (Act_7:9-10); protection (1Sa_23:14); direction (Exo_13:18); strength (Psa_73:26); judgment (Isa_17:13; Pro_21:12; Psa_64:6-7); ministry (1Co_3:6-7); and salvation (Eph_2:4 with Rom_5:7-8).
 

 
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