“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—by grace you have been saved…” Ephesians 2:4-5
“But God!”
No two words ever spoken or written convey greater significance than these.
But God… despite us. But God… because of us. But God… on behalf of us. But God… for the love of us.
We could not free our selves from our willful self-destruction, but God chose to save us.
We had run so far away from him, but God outran us and rescued us.
We spit in his face and had an affair with his arch enemy, but God loved us and pursued us anyway.
We deserved annihilation for our rebellion, but God chose mercy and forgiveness instead.
We had no hope of life, but God chose to give us life in Christ.
There’s no way around it. Those two words, “But God,” are pivotal words. Game-changers. Words that signal a new beginning. Epic words that bring hope into the most despicable and dark places. They point to the heart and character of the One who loves us. We may be at our worst, but God is always at his best. No matter how negligent, apathetic or evil we are, God does not treat us as we deserve.
The next time you fail or are under an assault of condemnation remember those words… But God. But God rescued me in Christ. But God loves me anyway. But God has chosen me to be his own. But God has given me a new life. But God has made me clean through the Son he loves. But God will never leave me nor forsake me.
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