There is one little word in our English language that has the power to disannul every acknowledgement of truth and seemingly noble intention – that word is “but.” When someone says, “I know I ought to, but…” Immediately you know that what follows the “but” becomes a process of explaining why a particular truth does not apply to them – by the “but” they deny their responsibility.
“I know I ought to obey the gospel, but…” The truth is that God has provided a means of salvation through Jesus Christ and there are conditions in the simple gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17; Mark 16:15-16). Salvation from sins is dependent upon man’s acceptance of Jesus as his savior and obeying what the gospel requires. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth…” (1 Peter 1:22). The Hebrew writer said of Jesus, “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, being then made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him,” (5:8-9). If you do these things, then God washes away your sins through the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16).
“I know I ought to, but…”, so the disciple says. The excuses flow as rushing waters down the mountainside. That which follows “but” runs the gambit from, “I’ve got a hangnail on my pinky” (a very serious illness) to once-in-a-lifetime special events. “It’s ok to miss worshipping God for special events, as long as I don’t do it all the time” (?).
James says that man is inconsistent and acts contrary to what is natural when he, from the same source, speaks evil and good – “Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?” (3:11). It is just as inconsistent to acknowledge what is truth, then deny its applicability to self.
Why is it that people who know less than I do, are sicker than I am, and have more to do than I do, can serve the Lord, but I cannot? I should not say, “I know I ought to, but…” Rather, I should say, “I know I ought to and I will be lost, if I do not.” Now what are you going to do about it? – Jim R. Everett
There is one little word in our English language that has the power to disannul every acknowledgement of truth and seemingly noble intention – that word is “but.” When someone says, “I know I ought to, but…” Immediately you know that what follows the “but” becomes a process of explaining why a particular truth does not apply to them – by the “but” they deny their responsibility.
“I know I ought to obey the gospel, but…” The truth is that God has provided a means of salvation through Jesus Christ and there are conditions in the simple gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17; Mark 16:15-16). Salvation from sins is dependent upon man’s acceptance of Jesus as his savior and obeying what the gospel requires. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth…” (1 Peter 1:22). The Hebrew writer said of Jesus, “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, being then made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him,” (5:8-9). If you do these things, then God washes away your sins through the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16).
