But Now....

One of my favorite words in the English language is the little word "but".  It is also one of my least favorite words.  I've written about this before.  You can read the earlier post here:  http://susanssittingroom.blogspot.com/2011/10/but.html

I most love that little word "but" when we put it together with another word to form a phrase......but God.

But God.  The little word "but" used alone can be so negative, but the connotation changes completely when you put the two words together.  You'll find that phrase a number of times in Scripture. 

Another favorite phrase is but now.  You can find that phrase in several places as well.  I love the that was how it was then, but this is how it is now truth the phrase conveys. 

Let's use Ephesians 2 as an example. The chapter begins this way: "You were dead in trespasses and sins."  That's pretty negative, isn't it? That's how it used to be, how it was then. Sounds pretty hopeless.  However, there's more to the story!

"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 ESV, emphasis mine)

That should brighten your day!

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)