For example, Ephesians 2 starts with an ugly statement about how we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Then it goes on about how we walked according to the world's way and the devil's way. After that it continues to be ugly as we are basically called the sons of disobedience. And it goes on with how we cannot control our lusts and flesh, and how we are children of wrath. Very ugly. That hurts!
Then comes a big 'ol BUT!!!!! In Ephesians 2:4-6 it says "BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus."
We are dead and lost, without hope, without purpose, without eternal life, guilty, and destined to Hell...BUT God loves us. He doesn't love us just enough to feel sorry for us. He loves us enough to change us from dead to alive... to raise us up and give us hope and eternal life... to move us from guilty to forgiven.
The word BUT transitions us from the doom and gloom of us to the life and hope of being in Jesus. The word BUT is the turning point of the thought. The word "BUT" is where we met Jesus. It's where we realized we are guilty of sin and our sin separates us from holy God. It's where we admit we messed up and seek forgiveness. It's where we look to the punishment Jesus took, knowing it was really us who deserved it. It's where we accept Christ as Savior. It's where abundant, eternal life begins. It's where we go from children of wrath and disobedience to children of God. Then we say I was dead, BUT in Jesus I am alive.
Read Ephesians, especially the first couple of chapters. See where you are. Are you before the "but" or after the "but"?
I like big BUTs.
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