Over twenty times in the New Testament is the dynamic phrase “but God” used. Consider how this Great Exception has impacted human history.
- By revelation. The wisdom of God is indiscernible by human effort—eye has not seen; ear has not heard; no human can imagine or discover God’s eternal purpose for human salvation, the things that He has prepared for those who love Him. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
- By redemption. Few is the number of times someone has been willing to die for a righteous man; perhaps for a good man someone would dare to die. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
- By regeneration. Sin kills. We are dead in our trespasses and sins. The prince of the power of the air has conquered and utterly damaged us. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
- By spiritual victory. Every person is tempted. However, there is no temptation that you face that is unique in human history. Satan has been wildly successful in this business of temptation and sin since the dawn of time. “But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Revelation. Redemption. Regeneration. Spiritual Victory.
The Great I AM is the Great Exception.
Truly, He is the hero of human history.
