October 1, 2026
Of all the countless, powerful phrases that appear in the Bible, one of the most significant is "but God." While the total varies depending on the translation, the number of times "but God" occurs in Scripture is 41 (according to biblewisdomhub.org).
In the days of Noah, when it rained forty days and forty nights, the ensuing waters hung around for 150 days. “But God remembered Noah,” along with his family and animals (Genesis 8:1). Once Joseph reunited with brothers that had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery, he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:20).
One of the more consequential appearances comes from the pen of Paul. “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 … (Ephesians 2:4,5, NASB).
Prior to these words written to the church in Ephesus, the apostle said, “you were dead in trespasses and sins…” (Ephesus 2:1). Such describes the person who has not received Christ as Savior. As children of the devil, “indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Ephesians 2:3), they are headed toward hell and eternal separation from God.
Thankfully, God made provision for such rebellion. As Paul wrote on another but God occasion, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Roman 5:8 NASB, emphasis added).
Why would He take such initiative? The answer, like two glowing embers taken from the altar of God, comes in the following pair of words included in Ephesians 2:4 above.
Love- God loves because He is love (1 John 4:8). A peasant believer had a weather vane atop his barn, on which were etched the words, “God is love.” One day, a cynical, pagan happened by for a visit. Seeing the weather vane twisting about, the unbeliever snapped, “You mean to say that your God is as changeable as the wind?” “No,” the simple farmer replied, “What I mean to say is that no matter which way the wind blows, GOD IS LOVE.”
Such love is unconditional. There’s nothing we can do to make Him love us any more. There’s nothing we can do to make Him love you any less. Perhaps now is a good time to stop and reflect upon just how much God loves you.
Mercy- A merciful God withheld the punishment that should have been ours by providing the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (Micah 7:18, NIV).
Napoleon was moved by a mother’s plea for her son’s pardon. However, it was his second offense, and justice demanded death. “I do not ask for justice," begged the mother, “I plead for mercy.” “But,” responded the emperor, “he does not deserve mercy.” “Sire,” cried the mother, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” Her clarity and logic prompted Napoleon to say, “Well, then, I will have mercy.” Though sin demanded our death, God provided love and mercy.
You’ve strayed away from the church and lost interest in the faith…but God. You’ve been betrayed by someone you love…but God. The doctor says you have six months to a year to live… but God. Your family is drowning in dysfunction… but God. We live in a world of social, political, and economic turmoil… but God. For all of the distractions, detours, and disappointments that may come, the answer is always…but God.
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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
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