The Critical Conjunction
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 04:57AM 
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” Ephesians 2:4
God is the creator Spirit who does not change. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and eternal. He is holy, righteous, loving, truthful and all-wise. God is “The King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.” 1 Timothy 1:17. He is solitary in his existence, awesome in his contemplation, irrefutable in his decrees, flawless in his foreknowledge, fierce in his wrath, supreme in his state, sovereign in his authority, immutable in his counsel, unlimited in his power, unmovable in his faithfulness, unending in his patience, faultless in his goodness, amazing in his grace, forever enduring in his mercy and infinite in his love.
Now, we come to the critical conjunction. But is a conjunction, a preposition, an adverb. In the Greek, the word but is translated from the word de. De is one of the most commonly used Greek particles used to connect one clause with another when it is felt that there is some contrast between them. It is translated but when a contrast is clearly implied.
Why do you come to church? You come to learn about God, right? But, to learn about God, you must unlearn all the inaccurate things that you think you know about God. Some think God is the cruel master of their fate; that He is rigid, vindictive and harsh; that He is out of touch, remote and inaccessible; that He uncaring, uninvolved and disinterested in your life. The true God of the Bible is none of those things.
But, God …! Whenever I am faced with a set of circumstances that overwhelms me and threatens to destroy me, I understand that there is a presence beside me and inside me that is contrary to the circumstances that surround me. This presence is almighty, always victorious, and incapable of defeat. “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15.
But, God!
When you are wronged. “And your father deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God did not let him hurt me.” Genesis 31:7.
When you are victimized. “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20.
When you are confused. “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.” Acts 7:9.
When you are attacked. “But God carved a hollow place in the jaw, and water came out of it.” Judges 15:19.
When you think you’re dying. “My flesh and my heart fail: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.
When you are persecuted. The early saints were scorned, cursed, beaten, jailed, blackballed, and persecuted for the name of Jesus. “But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above your ability; but will with the temptation make a way to escape.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Darkness may be all around … but God! Defeat may seem inevitable … but God! You may be suffering rejection, depression, hurt, loss, loneliness … but God! God is your Critical Conjunction!
Reader Comments (1)
That was GOOD .....