Last Sunday in the study of Ephesians, the pastor discussed the “but God” moments of life—those times when God intervenes through circumstances or people to save us and grow us in our walk with Christ. In his commentary on Ephesians, James Montgomery Boice remarks, “Those two words, in and of themselves, in a sense contain the whole of the gospel.”

Ephesians 2: 4-7 has a “but God” section.

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, and raised us up together and made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches  of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

In the section prior to these verses, Paul talks about those who have walked in sin following the course of this world. But the good news of verses 4- 7 is that, “but God…(1) Made us alive with Christ; (2) Raised us up with Christ and (3) Seated us with Christ.”

The verse states further that this is to show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ. We can be thankful that God chose to have a “but God” moment in our life. We were lost in sin, “but God” chose to intervene in our lives and make us a part of His family.

Boice says, “If you undersand those two words – ‘but God’ – they will save your soul. If you recall them daily and live by them, they will transform your life completely.”

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26