THE BUTers

FEBRUARY 12, 2012

THE BUTers

CONVERSATION

I have a Christian friend who recently told me that he agrees that I preach what the Bible says about God's call to living victoriously over sin and temptation, "BUT," he said to me, "you set the bar too high."

I pointed out that I don't set the bar at all, God set the bar and I simply point to it.

He said very few people can live up to it.

I said no one can live up to it, until they let Christ infill and empower them, then anyone can live up to it.

He acquiesced, then he brought up another baseless "BUT."

He belongs to a group I call the "BUTers."

NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTS ABOUT IT

Ephesians 1:4
(4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
(8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 1:14-16
(14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 2:21-22
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

DO NOT BE A BUT-er
Proverbs 1:7
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

BE CAREFUL not to BUT your way into defeat and hell. The word, "BUT," is a conjunction, which is often used to introduce an exception or alternative. "BUT" is used in the Bible, 1- To turn from the negative to the positive, 2- To turn from the positive to the negative.

1- From Negative to Positive
Ephesians 2:2-7 (the alternative begins in vs. 4).
(2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

(3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
(5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
(6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2- From Positive to Negative
Proverbs 1:7
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

When people deny, refute, reject the promises and directives of God, they often start their argument with a "BUT." To "BUT" out of God's revelation is to "BUT" into defeat and ultimately into hell.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,
Pastor David L. Gould